Russia Captures Vuhledar in Donetsk, Analysts Suggest
Russia Captures Vuhledar in Donetsk, Analysts Suggest
The Facts
Russian forces likely captured the Donetsk town of Vuhledar on Tuesday, analysts assessed, after geolocated footage showed them freely roaming the town and raising Russian flags from a number of buildings.Russian forces likely captured the Donetsk town of Vuhledar on Tuesday, according to analysts, after geolocated footage showed them freely roaming the town and raising Russian flags from a number of buildings.
On Wednesday, the Russian news agency TASS, citing sources in the country's defense ministry, reported that its forces have cleared Ukrainian troops from the town — referred to as Ugledar in Russia.
The Spin
The capture of Vuhledar is significant because of its proximity to important frontline areas, and because it lies on high ground that will facilitate further Russian artillery attacks. Its capture could hasten further Russian advances in the region.
Russia's seizure of Vuhledar follows a series of costly, failed assaults over the course of two years of war. It's fall is unlikely to have a significant impact on Ukraine's defense, as it was not a particularly important logistics nodelocation and because Russian forces have controlled most of the main roads running into Vuhledar prior to its capture.