Russian incendiary bombs ignite fierce battles in Vuhledar
7:11 AM EDT, September 27, 2024
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 recording. Soldiers of the 72nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are still stationed in the city.
The Russian assault on Vuhledar in the southern Donetsk region may force Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the 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 site." Vuhledar has caught fire
On Thursday, fighters of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade refuted information about withdrawing from Vuhledar, emphasizing that the city remains under their control.
- So far, despite heavy attacks and difficult circumstances, we are on-site - says a soldier of the 72nd Brigade in the recording.
During the night from Thursday to Friday, a recording was published on Ukrainian Telegram channels showing the moment incendiary bombs were dropped on the city.
The video shows how a large part of the city catches fire. The Russians likely dropped phosphorus munitions, which burn at temperatures exceeding 1,470 degrees Fahrenheit, and the burning continues until all the phosphorus is consumed or access to oxygen 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 Ukrainian Armed Forces Infantry Reserve Council, Ivan Tymochko, informed on Wednesday that the Russians are making some progress, but it cannot be said that Vuhledar has been encircled.
- Russian forces are making some progress, but I would not want it to be said that Vuhledar is encircled. Vuhledar is not even in operational encirclement now. Yes, the fighting around the city and the fighting for the city are very heavy. But we should distinguish encirclement from flank fighting - added Tymochko.
On the same day, the British Ministry of Defense reported in its daily update that the Russians had surrounded the city from three sides.
By taking control of areas around Vuhledar, Russian troops are strengthening their positions south of the town of Kurakhove. From the north, the Russians are encircling Kurakhove with their assault on the strategically important town of Pokrovsk for Ukrainian military logistics.
