Russia takes strategically important town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine

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Russian forces have raised their flag over the strategically important town of Vuhledar in eastern Ukraine, paving the way for further advances as Kyiv’s struggle to increase their manpower and secure long-term western support.

The capture of Vuhledar, confirmed by both sides, comes at a critical point in the Ukrainian defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion that started in 2022 — as further western assistance to Kyiv will hinge on the result of the US presidential elections next month.

Drone footage published by Russian forces late on Tuesday showed soldiers hoisting the Russian flag above bombed out buildings in the shattered town used by Ukrainian forces as a vantage point to attack Russian supply lines further south. 

A commander for Ukraine’s 72nd brigade, Stanislav Buniatov, said some of its forces had withdrawn so as not to be encircled, adding “the situation remains tense, not without losses”.

At least 107 residents remain in the town, according to the Donetsk region governor, Vadym Filashkin.

But Russian military bloggers expressed doubt that Russian forces would be able to quickly advance from Vuhledar given that cities further north are better fortified, including the logistical hub of Pokrovsk which, if captured, would sever supply lines for Ukrainian troops in the area.

Still, the capture of Vuhledar highlights the cost of the war for Russia, with thousands of troops killed and hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles destroyed in exchange for small territorial gains.

Under increased pressure to find a way to end the war, Ukraine’s leadership fears a return to the White House of Republican candidate Donald Trump may force the country into a bad deal.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toured the US last week to seek security guarantees and further advanced weaponry, including the use of long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia before President Joe Biden leaves office. But other than some additional financial aid, Zelenskyy returned with less than he hoped for.

Russia has lost hundreds of thousands of men in eastern Ukraine, according to western intelligence, largely due to the so-called “meatgrinder” tactic it employs for relatively small territorial gains, sending “human waves” towards Ukrainian front lines with little regard for their lives.

But the tactic has worked, with Russian forces making steady progress this summer and capturing small settlements on almost a daily basis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last month announced the increase of his armed forces by another 180,000 men. He has been reluctant to conscript people into the army, following a mass exodus in 2022 when he signed such an order, and instead has been using financial incentives to attract more soldiers.

In Ukraine, new recruits are mainly conscripted as the bulk of motivated men are already serving and the country cannot afford to offer sign-up bonuses. Desertions have increased as a result, with many battle-hardened commanders deploring the lack of training and motivation of soldiers sent to replace the ones who have been fighting for years.

For captured troops, the fate is even grimmer.

Just south of Pokrovsk drone footage published on Russian social media channels shows Russian forces executing 16 captured Ukrainian soldiers.

In the birdseye view drone video, reportedly taken between the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar, 16 men are lined up and then executed.

Ukraine’s prosecutor-general’s office said it was investigating the incident, which it described as the largest of its kind. The Financial Times could not independently verify the footage.