Russian forces have taken full control of the eastern city of Vledal, which has been held by Ukrainian forces since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began two and a half years ago.
Ukraine’s Eastern Command confirmed on Wednesday that it had instructed troops still fighting in parts of the Vuledar River to withdraw to avoid a siege.
For more than two years, Russia has been trying to seize the city in order to push further north and reach regional transportation hubs such as Krahov and Pokrovsk.
A day earlier, pro-Kremlin military bloggers had posted several videos showing Russian soldiers raising national flags on the roofs of various buildings in Vroedal.
Donetsk regional authorities confirmed on Tuesday that Russian troops had almost reached the city center, and some reports said Ukrainian troops were still waiting in some districts.
The BBC spoke to two soldiers from the 72nd Brigade who managed to leave the city before the final attack and took up new positions in the same area. They claim that troops have withdrawn from the city.
The machine gunner, who requested anonymity, said that for the past few days, Ukrainian soldiers had to flee Vledal on their own on foot because it was impossible to evacuate.
Another soldier, Roman, said many were injured or killed by Russian drones and artillery as they tried to leave. Many more are still missing.
Since launching a full-scale invasion in February 2022, Moscow has launched numerous attacks to capture the city, all of which have so far failed. One of the biggest tank battles took place there last year.
Instead of launching frontal attacks, the Russian military has recently switched to its favored tactic of advancing along the flanks and encircling targets. Last month, they captured the villages of Prekistivka in the west and Vodyan in the east, completing a pincer operation.
Moscow’s vast superiority in weapons and manpower (some soldiers estimate the force ratio to be 7:1) allowed it to break through the Ukrainian defenses along its flank and approach Vledal. .
With the Russian army effectively cutting off the only remaining lifeline, the road from Vuledal to Bohoyavlenka, it became clear that the city was doomed. Russian forces moved in so close that artillery and suicide drones targeted anyone and anything moving on that road.
“We tried to send supplies and organize the evacuation of wounded and dead soldiers, but without success,” Roman said. “We lost a lot of vehicles and had to stop (such operations).”
By Tuesday, about 100 civilians remained in Vledal, out of a pre-war population of 14,000, said Donetsk regional director Vadim Filashkin.
“Thank God we have evacuated all the children. For the 107 who are still there, we have reached them and are providing humanitarian assistance, as the active phase of the war is underway. It is difficult to deliver drinking water and medicine.”
The situation became critical when Russian troops entered the city, and Ukrainian troops began to withdraw without waiting for an order to withdraw.
“If the withdrawal is not organized, there will be chaos in the end,” the machine gunner explained. The Ukrainian defenders were like giants trying to stop the Russians, he said. However, some groups were completely confused due to communication failures, he added. Their radios were out of order, and when exposed to heavy fire they had to make quick decisions on their own, often ending up retreating.
Ukraine’s defense lines were destroyed by drones, multiple rocket launchers, and thermobaric weapons systems such as Russian aerial bombs and the Solntzepek heavy flamethrower.
In the face of such an onslaught, retreating from certain positions is inevitable, Roman argued. “Either die or retreat.”
However, escaping the nearly besieged city was extremely dangerous. During the day, I became almost suicidal.
Ukrainian troops attempted to escape mainly at night, but the roads were under heavy surveillance by Russian forces, and they had to cross minefields by taking designated paths to avoid them.
Until recently, evacuation vehicles were able to turn off their headlights and drive under cover of darkness, Roman explained. However, once the Russian army reached the city center, the only way to escape was on foot.
Those who manage to escape are exhausted and depressed. They are also angry at their commanders for not ordering an evacuation sooner, as they claim it has been clear for some time that Ukrainian forces would not be able to hold the city for long.
“I don’t know why (the order wasn’t given),” the machine gunner said. “Perhaps it was fear of the military leadership, or perhaps it was an order from above to shed our blood to the end (to hold our position).”
Military officials from the 72nd Brigade and the Ukrainian Operations Command in the region declined requests for comment from the BBC.
The military chief of staff remained silent about Mr. Vooredal in recent daily briefings.
Wednesday morning’s press conference did not mention anything about the situation in Vledal, only stating that “the enemy launched an attack on our positions in the direction of Bohoyavlenka, but it failed.”