In a significant win for Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, Moscow’s Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that Russian forces have fully captured the key eastern city of Vuhledar.
The ministry stated, “Thanks to the decisive actions of the Vostok (East) group of forces, the settlement of Vuhledar in the Donetsk People’s Republic has been liberated.”
On Wednesday, Ukraine confirmed it had ordered the withdrawal of its troops from the city after a major Russian offensive.
Ukrainian command authorized the retreat to “preserve personnel and combat equipment” and to relocate to new positions, citing the risk of encirclement, according to a statement from the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, part of Ukraine’s Ground Forces.
