Russian Forces Capture Vuhledar After 31-Month Siege; Town Left in Ruins

Oct 3, 2024, 09:00 AM

Russian troops have reportedly captured the town of Vuhledar, a coal-mining settlement covering 5.3 square kilometers in eastern Ukraine, after nearly three years of intense fighting. Ukrainian forces, who had held the town for 31 months and repelled three Russian offensives, have withdrawn in a tactical retreat from the devastated area. During the defense of Vuhledar, Russia lost thousands of troops and vehicles attempting to seize the strategic location. The town has been completely destroyed by Russian bombardment, leaving it uninhabited and in ruins. The loss of Vuhledar marks a significant moment in the conflict, as it served as a vital defensive bastion in the Donetsk region.