Vuhledar: Ukrainian troops hold firm despite Russian incendiary assault
During the night from Thursday to Friday, the Russian army dropped incendiary bombs on Vuhledar in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Ukrainian channels on Telegram published the footage. Soldiers of the 72nd Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are still stationed in the city.
The Russian assault on Vuhledar in the south of the Donetsk region could force Ukrainian troops to withdraw from this city, reported the portal of "Forbes" magazine on Wednesday. Reports of the worsening situation in Vuhledar were confirmed by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
"We are on the spot." Vuhledar engulfed in flames
Meanwhile, on Thursday, fighters of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade dismissed the information about withdrawing from Vuhledar, emphasising that the city remains under their control.
— So far, despite heavy attacks and difficult circumstances, we are on the spot — says a soldier of the 72nd Brigade in the recording.
During the night from Thursday to Friday, Ukrainian Telegram channels published a recording showing the moment incendiary bombs were dropped on the city.
The film shows how a massive part of the city goes up in flames. The Russians likely dropped phosphorus ammunition, which burns at temperatures exceeding 800°C, and the burning continues until all the phosphorus is consumed or the oxygen supply is cut off.
"Vuhledar is not even in operational encirclement now"
Vuhledar has been defended by the Ukrainian 72nd Mechanized Brigade for nearly two years, almost since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.
The head of the Infantry Reserve Council of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ivan Tymochko, informed on Wednesday that the Russians are making some progress. Still, it is not accurate to say they have encircled Vuhledar.
— The Russian forces are making some progress, but I wouldn't like it to be stated that it is an encirclement of Vuhledar. Vuhledar is not even in operational encirclement now. Yes, the fights around the city and the fight for the town are very fierce. But we should distinguish between encirclement and flank fighting — added Tymochko.
On the same day, the British Ministry of Defence stated in its daily update that the Russians had surrounded the city from three sides.
By taking control of the areas around Vuhledar, Russian troops are strengthening their positions south of the city of Kurakhove. From the north, the Russians are surrounding Kurakhove with their assault on the crucial Ukrainian military logistics city of Pokrovsk.
