Battle of Vuhledar

{{Short description|Battle during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Battle of Vuhledar

| partof = the eastern Ukraine campaign of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

| image = Vuhledar (2024-09-25) 01.jpg

| caption = Destruction in Vuhledar from fighting and shelling, September 2024

| place = Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine

| date = 28 October 2022 – 1 October 2024{{efn|The first main Russian assault in early 2023 was unsuccessful; small-scale assaults continued around Vuhledar through July 2024; a renewed large-scale offensive effort starting in August 2024 ended in Vuhledar's capture.}}
({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=10|day1=28|year1=2022|month2=10|day2=1|year2=2024}})

| coordinates = {{Coord|47|47|N|37|15|E|region:UA-14_type:event|display=inline,title}}

| combatant1 = {{flag|Russia}}

| combatant2 = {{flag|Ukraine}}

| units1 = First main battle:

72nd Motorized Rifle Brigade{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/08/smashed-by-ukrainian-mines-and-artillery-russias-winter-offensive-just-ground-to-a-halt-outside-vuhledar/?sh=4d3274d15558 | title=Smashed by Ukrainian Mines and Artillery, Russia's Winter Offensive Just Ground to a Halt Outside Vuhledar | website=Forbes | access-date=9 February 2023 | archive-date=9 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209140245/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/08/smashed-by-ukrainian-mines-and-artillery-russias-winter-offensive-just-ground-to-a-halt-outside-vuhledar/?sh=4d3274d15558 | url-status=live }}
5th Motorized Rifle Brigade{{Cite web|date=26 March 2023|title='They threatened to shoot us if we didn't advance' — Russian soldiers deployed near Ukraine's Vuhledar ask Putin for help|url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2023/03/26/they-threatened-to-shoot-us-if-we-didnt-advance-russian-soldiers-deployed-near-ukraines-vuhledar-ask-putin-for-help-en-news|access-date=26 March 2023|website=Novaya Gazeta Europe|language=ru|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326101939/https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2023/03/26/they-threatened-to-shoot-us-if-we-didnt-advance-russian-soldiers-deployed-near-ukraines-vuhledar-ask-putin-for-help-en-news|url-status=live}}
155th Naval Infantry Brigade
40th Naval Infantry Brigade
PMC Redut{{Cite web |last=Bertina |first=Alec |date=27 June 2023 |title=PMC Veterans (60 OMSB Veteran): Putin's Loyalists |url=https://greydynamics.com/pmc-veterans-60-omsb-veteran-putins-loyalists/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230712195433/https://greydynamics.com/pmc-veterans-60-omsb-veteran-putins-loyalists/%2330_Organisation |archive-date=12 July 2023 |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=Grey Dynamics}}{{Cite web |date=21 August 2022 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 21 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Russian%20Offensive%20Campaign%20Assessment%2C%20August%2021.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828032000/https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Russian%20Offensive%20Campaign%20Assessment%2C%20August%2021.pdf |archive-date=28 August 2022 |access-date=20 June 2023 |website=Institute for the Study of War}}
PMC Patriot{{cite web

|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/12/28/7382706/

|title=Shoigu deploys his Private Military Company, which competes with Wagner Group, to war against Ukraine

|website=pravda.com.ua

|access-date=February 10, 2023

|archive-date=11 February 2023

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211160242/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/12/28/7382706/

|url-status=live

}}

| units2 = First main battle:

72nd Mechanized Brigade
68th Jaeger Brigade{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/04/vuhledar-ukraine-russia-attacks-war/ |title=Attacking Vuhledar, Russia previews new push to seize southeast Ukraine|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=7 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204190140/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/04/vuhledar-ukraine-russia-attacks-war/ |url-status=live }}
Kastuś Kalinoŭski Regiment[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/funeral-held-for-belarusian-activist-killed-in-ukraine/2023/02/04/0ec5a926-a4a5-11ed-8b47-9863fda8e494_story.html Funeral held for Belarusian activist killed in Ukraine]

Late 2024:

72nd Mechanized Brigade
123rd Territorial Brigade{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/40288|title=ANALYSIS: Vuhledar: Why Ukrainian Troops Lost the Mining City|work=Kyivpost|date=5 October 2024}}

| commander1 = Rustam Muradov
Sukhrab Akhmedov
Mikhail Gudkov{{cite web | url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/12/18/why-is-this-body-still-lying-here-en | title='Why is this body still lying here?'. Marine from Russia's Vladivostok shares thoughts about the war in Ukraine | date=18 December 2022 }}

| commander2 = Ivan Vinnik{{cite web|work=Ukrainska Pravda|title=Brigade commander from 72nd Mechanised Brigade defending Vuhledar transferred|date=29 September 2024|first=Roman|last=Petrenko|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/09/29/7477308/}}

| casualties1 = Ukrainian claim:

155th Brigade: ~5,000 killed, wounded or captured
130 armored vehicles destroyed (36 tanks){{cite web |last1=Melkozerova |first1=Veronika |title=Russia may have lost an entire elite brigade near a Donetsk coal-mining town |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-may-have-lost-an-entire-elite-brigade-near-a-coal-mining-town-in-donbas-ukraine-says/ |website=Politico |access-date=13 February 2023 |date=12 February 2023 |quote=Russian forces also were losing 150-300 marines a day near Vuhledar, Dmytrashkivskyi said. He estimated the brigade to have comprised some 5,000 soldiers in all, whose members had been killed, wounded or taken prisoner. |archive-date=13 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213024022/https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-may-have-lost-an-entire-elite-brigade-near-a-coal-mining-town-in-donbas-ukraine-says/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/14/elite-russian-marine-unit-nearly-destroyed-near-ukraines-vuhledar-a80220 | title=Elite Russian Marine Unit 'Nearly Destroyed' Near Ukraine's Vuhledar | date=14 February 2023 | access-date=29 March 2023 | archive-date=29 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329034810/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/14/elite-russian-marine-unit-nearly-destroyed-near-ukraines-vuhledar-a80220 | url-status=live }}
72nd Brigade:
30 tanks and BMPs destroyed{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/08/smashed-by-ukrainian-mines-and-artillery-russias-winter-offensive-just-ground-to-a-halt-outside-vuhledar/ | title=Smashed by Ukrainian Mines and Artillery, Russia's Winter Offensive Just Ground to a Halt Outside Vuhledar | website=Forbes | access-date=9 February 2023 | archive-date=9 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209140250/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/08/smashed-by-ukrainian-mines-and-artillery-russias-winter-offensive-just-ground-to-a-halt-outside-vuhledar/ | url-status=live }}
5th Brigade: 304 killed, 22 wounded{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/world/europe/russia-military-vuhledar-ukraine.html |title=Moscow's Military Capabilities Are in Question After Failed Battle for Ukrainian City - The New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=16 February 2023 |access-date=16 February 2023 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216043012/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/world/europe/russia-military-vuhledar-ukraine.html |url-status=live |last1=Santora |first1=Marc }}

Per BBC Russia:
455–2,230+ killed, wounded and missing[https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/c99v7v2k8ejo Высокая цена захвата Угледара: что известно о потерях России в Украине к октябрю]

Identified by name:

155th Brigade: 211 killed, 42 missing
40th Brigade: 72 killed
72nd Brigade: 34 killed, 84+ wounded, 12+ missing

Equipment losses:
107+ armored vehicles damaged or destroyed (17+ tanks){{cite web |title=Vuhledar Russian losses per Warspotting.net |access-date=3 October 2024|url=https://ukr.warspotting.net/search/?belligerent=2&location=496/}}

| casualties2 = Ukrainian claim:
"As many as" 60 killed or wounded a day (Sep. 2022 only){{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/a-day-without-dead-russians-isnt-a-complete-day-3dw97pqqp | title='A day without dead Russians isn't a complete day' | access-date=7 February 2023 | archive-date=7 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207234058/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-day-without-dead-russians-isnt-a-complete-day-3dw97pqqp | url-status=live }}
100 killed or wounded (one battalion; Nov. '22–Feb. '23)[https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-russia-counteroffensive-summer-1.6895765 Ukraine's counteroffensive struggles against Russian fortifications, airpower]
Russian claim:
200 killed or wounded (24–25 Jan. 2023){{cite web | url=https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/155558-vuhledar_ukrainian_forces/ | title=Armed Forces of Ukraine lose first line of defence near Vuhledar | date=25 January 2023 | access-date=7 February 2023 | archive-date=7 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224839/https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/155558-vuhledar_ukrainian_forces/ | url-status=live }}
Equipment losses:
20 armored vehicles destroyed (2 tanks; as of Feb. 2023)[https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/03/top-russian-general-dismissed-after-vuhledar-defeat-a80690 Top Russian General Dismissed After Vuhledar Defeat]

| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

| strength1 = First main battle:
20,000 troops
90 main battle tanks
180 IFVs
100 artillery pieces{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/13/europe/russia-ukraine-vuhledar-donetsk-fiasco-intl/index.html | title='Like turkeys at a shooting range': Mauling of Russian forces in Donetsk hotspot may signal problems to come | website=CNN | date=13 February 2023 | access-date=14 February 2023 | archive-date=19 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219052052/https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/13/europe/russia-ukraine-vuhledar-donetsk-fiasco-intl/index.html | url-status=live }}[https://xxtomcooperxx.substack.com/p/ukraine-war-2-february-2022-vuhledar-8e34b3cc3ae1 Ukraine War, 2 February 2023: Vuhledar]

| strength2 = Unknown

| result = Russian victory

| casualties3 = 60 civilians killed{{cite news | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/defiant-frontline-residents-vuhledar/32508234.html | title=Living Amid the Ruins: Defiant Residents of a Ukrainian Frontline Town Refuse to Flee | newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty }}

}}

The battle of Vuhledar was a major battle between the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces for control of Vuhledar, a city in Donetsk Oblast, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian commanders described the clashes as "the largest tank battle" of the Russo-Ukrainian War to date.

The first main Russian effort to capture the city took place in the early months of 2023, following an advance through the surrounding area of Vuhledar the preceding year. This assault in and around the city ended in a failure, with large-scale losses, and the dismissal of commander Rustam Muradov, who led the attack. Similarly unsuccessful small-scale attempts at advancing near the city were launched throughout 2023 and the first half of 2024.

In late August 2024, a renewed large-scale effort to capture Vuhledar was launched. Aided by the support of simultaneous advances on the city's southern, western, and eastern flanks, Russian forces near-encircled Vuhledar by late September, while storming the city itself. On 1 October, Vuhledar was captured.

Prelude and prior skirmishes

= March–October 2022: Shelling and combat at Pavlivka =

In early March, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian and DPR forces captured the town of Volnovakha and began cementing a siege on Mariupol, connecting with troops in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and effectively seizing much of southern Ukraine. After the loss of Volnovakha, Ukraine's 53rd Mechanized Brigade retreated to Vuhledar. On 14 March, the Ukrainian military claimed that the Russian military was attempting to break through in the direction of Vuhledar.{{cite web |title=Зведення Генерального штабу ЗСУ за 14 березня: головне |url=https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2022/03/15/novyna/bezpeka/zvedennya-heneralnoho-shtabu-zsu-14-bereznya-holovne |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Слово і Діло |language=uk |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630003007/https://www.slovoidilo.ua/2022/03/15/novyna/bezpeka/zvedennya-heneralnoho-shtabu-zsu-14-bereznya-holovne |url-status=live }} On 6 April, Russian forces shelled a humanitarian aid distribution center in Vuhledar, killing four people and injuring an additional four.{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Humanitarian Impact Situation Report (As of 12:00 p.m. (EET) on 8 April 2022) [EN/RU/UK] - Ukraine {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-situation-report-1200-pm-eet-8-april-2022 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=reliefweb.int |date=8 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706134613/https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-situation-report-1200-pm-eet-8-april-2022 |url-status=live }} The next day, Donetsk Oblast head Pavlo Kyrylenko said that battles were ongoing in Vuhledar.{{cite web |title=Enemy firing heavy artillery on contact line, battles ongoing in Vuhledar and Marinka in Donetsk region |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3451257-enemy-firing-heavy-artillery-on-contact-line-battles-ongoing-in-vuhledar-and-marinka-in-donetsk-region.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=7 April 2022 |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224838/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3451257-enemy-firing-heavy-artillery-on-contact-line-battles-ongoing-in-vuhledar-and-marinka-in-donetsk-region.html |url-status=live }}

Three civilians were killed by Russian shelling in Vuhledar on 3 May.{{cite web |title=Russian troops shell Vuhledar in Donetsk region, killing three people |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3473555-russian-troops-shell-vuhledar-in-donetsk-region-killing-three-people.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=3 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224834/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3473555-russian-troops-shell-vuhledar-in-donetsk-region-killing-three-people.html |url-status=live }} A Ukrainian soldier was killed by artillery shelling near Vuhledar on 11 June.{{cite web |title=До сліз зворушливий пост дружини загиблого на Донеччині воїна з Тернопільщини |url=https://www.gazeta1.com/statti/do-sliz-zvorushlyvyj-post-druzhyny-zagyblogo-na-donechchyni-voyina-z-ternopilshhyny/ |date=15 June 2022|access-date=2023-02-07 |website=ПЕРШИЙ онлайн |language=uk |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815025245/https://www.gazeta1.com/statti/do-sliz-zvorushlyvyj-post-druzhyny-zagyblogo-na-donechchyni-voyina-z-ternopilshhyny/ |url-status=live }} On 21 June, Ukraine's 53rd Brigade recaptured Pavlivka, south of Vuhledar, claiming to have only lost one soldier killed and three wounded during the operation to retake the village. The opposing forces had numbered about 150 men, comprising Russian marines, ten of whom were taken prisoner, and separatist forces, "dozens" of whom were killed in action, according to the Ukrainians.{{Cite news |last1=Gall |first1=Carlotta |last2=Lima |first2=Mauricio |date=2022-07-21 |title=A Village Retaken, and a Confidence Boost for Ukraine's Troops |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/todayspaper/ukraine-russia-war.html |access-date=2022-12-12 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721095647/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/21/todayspaper/ukraine-russia-war.html |url-status=live }}

On 10 August, the Ukrainian military claimed that Russian forces had shelled Vuhledar.{{cite web |title=Оперативная информация о российско-украинской войне на 11 августа 2022 года — Генштаб ВСУ |url=https://thepage.ua/news/novosti-ukrainy-vojna-chto-na-frontah-na-utro-11-avgusta-2022 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Page |date=11 August 2022 |language=ru |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815025235/https://thepage.ua/news/novosti-ukrainy-vojna-chto-na-frontah-na-utro-11-avgusta-2022 |url-status=live }}

Ukraine's military claimed on 27 and 28 August that Russian assaults on Pavlivka and Prechystivka, both near Vuhledar, had been repelled.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 27 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-27 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203172913/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-27 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 28 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126213902/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28 |url-status=live }}

The Ukrainian military claimed that Russian forces had shelled Vuhledar on 21 September,{{cite web |title=Ukrainian Armed Forces repel Russian attacks and hit 40 Russian targets General Staff report |url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukrainian-armed-forces-repel-russian-041024575.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=21 September 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224838/https://news.yahoo.com/ukrainian-armed-forces-repel-russian-041024575.html |url-status=live }} and that it had repelled a Russian assault near Pavlivka on 28 September.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 28 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-28 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126233233/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-28 |url-status=live }}

= October 2022–January 2023: Capture of Pavlivka and approach towards Vuhledar =

According to Russian military bloggers, Russian forces launched an assault on Pavlivka from positions near the villages of {{ill|lt=Yehorivka|Yehorivka, Donetsk Oblast|uk|Єгорівка (Волноваський район)}} and Mykilske on the night between 28 and 29 October. Some Russian sources claimed that the Russian forces broke through Ukrainian defenses and managed to enter the southeastern outskirts of Pavlivka.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 29 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-29 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131075443/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-29 |url-status=live }} Out of 60 men in a platoon from the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, about 40 were killed and only eight escaped serious injury assaulting the town during late October.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/16/world/europe/russia-putin-war-failures-ukraine.html|title=Putin's War: The Inside Story of a Catastrophe|website=The New York Times|date=16 December 2022}}

A Russian military blogger claimed that Russian forces were in control of half of Pavlivka by 31 October. Daniil Beznosov, a DPR official, claimed on 1 November that ongoing offensives near Pavlivka and Novomykhailivka were likely intended to encircle Ukrainian forces in Vuhledar.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 1 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-1 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202204620/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-1 |url-status=live }} By 2 November, Russian sources said that the fighting around Pavlivka and Vuhledar had "slowed, but not stopped".{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 2 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-2 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=2 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202203451/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-2 |url-status=live }} According to David Axe of Forbes, by 4 November, Russia's 155th Brigade and 40th Naval Infantry Brigade had suffered as many as 300 casualties during the assaults on Pavlivka.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/11/07/russian-marines-are-getting-killed-and-wounded-by-the-hundreds-in-ukraine/?sh=ee1132836406 | title=Russian Marines Are Getting Killed and Wounded by the Hundreds in Ukraine | website=Forbes |date=7 November 2022| access-date=29 March 2023 | archive-date=29 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329034532/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/11/07/russian-marines-are-getting-killed-and-wounded-by-the-hundreds-in-ukraine/?sh=ee1132836406 | url-status=live }} Members of the 155th Brigade published a letter criticizing commander Rustam Muradov and calling the offensive on Pavlivka "incomprehensible".{{Cite news |title=Russia's heavy Heavy casualties in Ukraine also spark outcry and rare Russian official response. |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/07/casualties-russia-outcry-vuhledar-svatove/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129171339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/07/casualties-russia-outcry-vuhledar-svatove/ |url-status=live }}

Simultaneously, Russian forces struck infrastructure facilities in Vuhledar on 2 November with missiles and Iranian Shahed-136 drones. On 20 December, Russian strikes killed a civilian in Vuhledar.{{cite web |title=Occupiers kill civilians in Vuhledar and Torske, Donetsk Oblast |url=https://news.yahoo.com/occupiers-kill-civilians-vuhledar-torske-061231117.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=21 December 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224827/https://news.yahoo.com/occupiers-kill-civilians-vuhledar-torske-061231117.html |url-status=live }} According to Nazarii Kishak, a commander in Ukraine's 72nd Brigade on the frontline in Vuhledar, his unit, the 48th Battalion, managed to kill 11 Russians on 26 December, compared with 400 within four days the previous month.{{Cite news |last2=Chupryhin|first2=Artur |first1=Charlie |last1=Faulkner|title='A day without dead Russians isn't a complete day' |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/a-day-without-dead-russians-isnt-a-complete-day-3dw97pqqp |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207234058/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-day-without-dead-russians-isnt-a-complete-day-3dw97pqqp |url-status=live }} Other Ukrainian commanders in the area expressed concern about the stability of the town's defense, as local doctors received up to 60 Ukrainian casualties a day. The same source also claimed that the Russians were using a 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled heavy mortar, which, at 240mm, is the largest currently in use. In December, soldiers of Sergei Shoigu's PMC Patriot were spotted for the first time near Vuhledar.

Also in December, public information surfaced that Colonel Sukhrab Akhmedov, commander of the coastal defence troops, could be removed from his position, along with Colonel Mikhail Gudkov, commander of the 155th Marine Brigade.{{cite news |title= 'They're expendable — it's just a fact' |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/11/10/theyre-expendable-its-just-a-fact-en |work=Novaya Gazeta Europe |date=10 November 2022 |access-date=14 June 2023 }}{{cite news |title=Marine from Russia's Vladivostok shares thoughts about the war in Ukraine |url=https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2022/12/18/why-is-this-body-still-lying-here-en |work=Novaya Gazeta Europe |date=18 December 2022 |access-date=14 June 2023 }} However, by June 2023, Akhmedov had been transferred to Kreminna.{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325065358/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=dead }}

First main battle (24 January{{snd}}15 February 2023)

File:Vuhledar (2023-02-14) 02.jpg

The largest assault on Vuhledar throughout the war began on the night of 24 January 2023. On 25 January, war correspondent Andriy Rudenko stated that Ukrainian troops had lost the first line of defence near the town and withdrawn to the city.{{cite web |last=Ernilin |first=Petr |date=2023-01-25 |title=Russia prepares to entrap Vuhledar as Ukrainian forces lose first defence line |url=https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/155558-vuhledar_ukrainian_forces/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Pravda.ru |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224839/https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/155558-vuhledar_ukrainian_forces/ |url-status=live }} DNR spokesman Daniil Bezsonov claimed that members of the Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade had participated in an advance.{{Failed verification|date=February 2023}}

Localized offensives took place by Russian forces on 25 January, although British intelligence assessed it was unlikely that these assaults were able to hold any ground.{{Cite news |last=Sabbagh |first=Dan |date=2023-02-02 |title=Russian forces could regain initiative as Ukraine war drags on |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/02/russian-forces-could-regain-initiative-as-ukraine-war-drags-on |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224838/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/02/russian-forces-could-regain-initiative-as-ukraine-war-drags-on |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Russians lie about successes near Vuhledar and Orikhiv British intelligence |url=https://news.yahoo.com/russians-lie-successes-near-vuhledar-071927837.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=27 January 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224827/https://news.yahoo.com/russians-lie-successes-near-vuhledar-071927837.html |url-status=live }} The spokesman for the Ukrainian Eastern Command, Serhii Cherevatyi, claimed Russian troops fired at Vuhledar 322 times on 26 January, with 58 localized battles taking place.{{Cite news |title=Russians Launch Deadly Strike On Donetsk City As Fierce Fighting Rages In East |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-invasion-fierce-fighting-tanks-western-aid/32243625.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207231831/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-invasion-fierce-fighting-tanks-western-aid/32243625.html |url-status=live }} Ukrainian troops also repulsed Russian attacks on the western part of the town on January 26, although Russian forces consolidated some positions around the eastern half. Cherevatyi also claimed 109 Russian troops were killed and 188 were wounded.{{cite web |last=Herasimova |first=Tanya |date=January 27, 2023 |title=During Yesterday's Assault on Vuhledar, More Than 100 Occupiers Killed - Cherevatyi |url=https://ukranews.com/en/news/911459-during-yesterday-s-assault-on-vuhledar-more-than-100-occupiers-killed-cherevatyi |url-status=live |access-date=February 7, 2023 |website=Ukranews |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224828/https://ukranews.com/en/news/911459-during-yesterday-s-assault-on-vuhledar-more-than-100-occupiers-killed-cherevatyi }}{{Cite news |last1=Vasilyeva |first1=Nataliya |last2=Barnes |first2=Joe |date=2023-01-27 |title='Hundreds' of Russian soldiers dying in battle for strategic Ukrainian town |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/01/27/hundreds-russian-soldiers-dying-battle-strategic-ukrainian-town/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224838/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/01/27/hundreds-russian-soldiers-dying-battle-strategic-ukrainian-town/ |url-status=live }} That same day, Belarusian volunteer and activist Eduard Lobau was killed in action fighting near Vuhledar.{{Cite news |title=Funeral held for Belarusian activist killed in Ukraine |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/funeral-held-for-belarusian-activist-killed-in-ukraine/2023/02/04/0ec5a926-a4a5-11ed-8b47-9863fda8e494_story.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0190-8286}}

On 27 January, Russian forces bombarded Vuhledar with a TOS-1 thermobaric rocket launcher.{{cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 27, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-27-2023 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Critical Threats |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128204931/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-27-2023 |url-status=live }} In the following days, Russian forces suffered heavy casualties during the battle, with the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade taking the brunt of the losses.{{cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Russian Marines Just Attempted Another Frontal Assault On Ukrainian Positions Around Pavlivka. The Result Was Predictably Bloody. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/01/30/russian-marines-just-attempted-another-frontal-assault-on-ukrainian-positions-around-pavlivka-the-result-was-predictably-bloody/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211153119/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/01/30/russian-marines-just-attempted-another-frontal-assault-on-ukrainian-positions-around-pavlivka-the-result-was-predictably-bloody/ |url-status=live }} By January 31, British intelligence claimed Russian advances in Vuhledar were unlikely to make any additional progress.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-31 |title=Major Russian assault in Vuhledar unlikely to yield breakthrough, UK says |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/major-russian-assault-vuhledar-unlikely-yield-breakthrough-uk-says-2023-01-31/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224827/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/major-russian-assault-vuhledar-unlikely-yield-breakthrough-uk-says-2023-01-31/ |url-status=live }}

According to Austrian-based analyst Tom Cooper from 2 February, the 155th Marine Brigade may have lost 200-230 men killed in action over the first three days of the operation, with the Ukrainians claiming to have shot down 5-6 Ka-52 helicopters between 24 and 28 January. He even mentioned a rumor "that all the involved Russian units suffered 'up to 20,000 casualties' (KIA, WIA, MIA) over the last week". However, Cooper regarded the latter to be "wildly exaggerated", and believed that a strike on 1,500 Russian reinforcements gathered in a single building in the nearby village of Kyryoovka (which reportedly inflicted 'hundreds' of casualties) may have caused the above reports of massive Russian losses in the Vuhledar area.[https://xxtomcooperxx.substack.com/p/ukraine-war-2-february-2022-vuhledar-8e34b3cc3ae1 Ukraine War, 2 February 2023: Vuhledar]

In early February, videos emerged from Vuhledar alleging to show a destroyed Russian column near the town.{{cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Russian Armor Reportedly Repelled at Vuhledar |url=https://theatlasnews.co/conflict/2023/02/07/russian-armor-reportedly-repelled-at-vuhledar/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Atlas News |language=en-US |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224829/https://theatlasnews.co/conflict/2023/02/07/russian-armor-reportedly-repelled-at-vuhledar/ |url-status=live }} A Russian assault around 6 February saw 30 tanks and other heavy weapons destroyed by Ukrainian artillery.{{cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Smashed By Ukrainian Mines And Artillery, Russia's Winter Offensive Just Ground To A Halt Outside Vuhledar |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/08/smashed-by-ukrainian-mines-and-artillery-russias-winter-offensive-just-ground-to-a-halt-outside-vuhledar/ |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Forbes |archive-date=9 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209140250/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/02/08/smashed-by-ukrainian-mines-and-artillery-russias-winter-offensive-just-ground-to-a-halt-outside-vuhledar/ |url-status=live }} In an interview by RFE/RL, relatives of killed soldiers stated that many Tatar volunteers from the Alga Battalion were killed in the 6 February attack.{{Cite news |last=Eckel |first=Mike |date=2023-02-20 |title=What Happened In Vuhledar? A Battle Points To Major Russian Military Problems |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-battle-vuhledar/32276547.html |access-date=2023-02-20 |archive-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411054201/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-battle-vuhledar/32276547.html |url-status=live }} These heavy losses saw the main fighting units in Vuhledar become the 72nd Motor Rifle Brigade, composed predominantly of Tatars. The town's deputy mayor, Maksym Verbovsky, stated that Russian troops were attempting to surround the town from two sides, having advanced to nearby villages although being forced to fall back by Ukrainian defenses.{{cite web |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2023-02-05 |title=Russia pushes to take Ukrainian town near a vital supply line |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/05/world/russia-push-key-ukraine-town/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The Japan Times |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224839/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/05/world/russia-push-key-ukraine-town/ |url-status=live }}

A Russian offensive was initiated against the Ukrainian defensive line during the second week of February. On 8 February, an offensive of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and infantry failed with large losses, including the loss of nearly 30 armored vehicles, IFVs and tanks.[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-likely-lost-dozens-tanks-failed-attack-vuhledar-uk-2023-02-10/ Russia likely lost dozens of armoured vehicles near Ukraine's Vuhledar: UK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211045420/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-likely-lost-dozens-tanks-failed-attack-vuhledar-uk-2023-02-10/ |date=11 February 2023 }}, Reuters, 10 February 2023. The Ukrainian military announced almost the entire Russian 155th Naval Infantry Brigade was destroyed and that Russia lost 130 units of equipment, including 36 tanks. In the same announcement, they also claimed that the Russians were losing 150-300 marines killed per day in the battle.{{Cite web |last=Melkozerova |first=Veronica |date=2023-02-12 |title=Russia may have lost an entire elite brigade near a Donetsk coal-mining town, Ukraine says |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-may-have-lost-an-entire-elite-brigade-near-a-coal-mining-town-in-donbas-ukraine-says/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Politico |language=en-US |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212165601/https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-may-have-lost-an-entire-elite-brigade-near-a-coal-mining-town-in-donbas-ukraine-says/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/14/elite-russian-marine-unit-nearly-destroyed-near-ukraines-vuhledar-a80220 | title=Elite Russian Marine Unit 'Nearly Destroyed' Near Ukraine's Vuhledar | date=14 February 2023 | access-date=29 March 2023 | archive-date=29 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329034810/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/02/14/elite-russian-marine-unit-nearly-destroyed-near-ukraines-vuhledar-a80220 | url-status=live }} General Rustam Muradov, commander of the Eastern Military District and of the Vuhledar offensive came under fire for the failure to achieve the objective.{{cite news |title=Russian military commander Rustam Muradov under fire for failure in Ukraine's Vuhledar |url=https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/02/10/russian-military-commander-rustam-muradov-under-fire-vuhledar-ukraine/ |work=EuroWeekly |date=10 February 2023 |access-date=11 February 2023 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210220021/https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/02/10/russian-military-commander-rustam-muradov-under-fire-vuhledar-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}

On 13 February, a Russian soldier from the 3rd Company of the 155th Brigade said that 500 soldiers had been killed during one assault, and that he was one of only eight survivors from his 100-man company.{{cite news | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-battle-vuhledar/32276547.html | title=What Happened in Vuhledar? A Battle Points to Major Russian Military Problems | newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | date=3 March 2023 | last1=Eckel | first1=Mike | access-date=20 February 2023 | archive-date=11 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411054201/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-battle-vuhledar/32276547.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/03/top-russian-general-dismissed-after-vuhledar-defeat-a80690 | title=Top Russian General Dismissed After Vuhledar Defeat | date=3 April 2023 | access-date=4 April 2023 | archive-date=4 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404082507/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/03/top-russian-general-dismissed-after-vuhledar-defeat-a80690 | url-status=live }}

On 15 February, Ben Wallace, the British Secretary of State for Defence, said that over 1,000 Russian troops had been killed over just two days, and that an entire Russian brigade had effectively been "annihilated".{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/world/europe/russia-military-vuhledar-ukraine.html | title=Moscow's Military Capabilities Are in Question After Failed Battle for Ukrainian City | work=The New York Times | date=16 February 2023 | last1=Santora | first1=Marc | access-date=16 February 2023 | archive-date=16 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216043012/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/world/europe/russia-military-vuhledar-ukraine.html | url-status=live }} In a video appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin published on 25 March 2023, around 20 members of a unit tasked with assaulting Vuhledar, identified as the Storm Squad, the 5th Brigade of the 1st Corps of the Russian 8th Army, claimed that their commanders were utilizing anti-retreat troops to force them to advance. They stated that up to 304 of its members had been killed, including the company's commander, and that 22 had been wounded.

February 2023 – July 2024 clashes

File:Vuhledar (2023-08-04) 01.jpg

The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that between 15 and 23 February, Russian forces continued to launch assaults on Vuhledar, although with no significant territorial changes.{{Cite web |title=Institute for the Study of War |url=http://dev-isw.bivings.com/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Institute for the Study of War |language=en |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325065358/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-24 |url-status=dead }} The ISW also claimed elements of the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade refused to participate in some assaults. By late February, Russian troops had lost so many tanks and vehicles from the first battle that they shifted towards infantry attacks on the town.{{Cite news |last=Kramer |first=Andrew E. |date=2023-03-01 |title=In an Epic Battle of Tanks, Russia Was Routed, Repeating Earlier Mistakes |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/world/europe/ukraine-russia-tanks.html |access-date=2023-03-02 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302050750/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/01/world/europe/ukraine-russia-tanks.html |url-status=live }} Speaking to the New York Times, Vladislav Bayak, a commander in the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, claimed many Ukrainian counterattacks are done through ambushing the Russian vehicles using drones or waiting until the tanks are within range of Ukrainian anti-tank missiles.

In March 2023, British intelligence claimed Russian military leadership had not abandoned the prospect of capturing Vuhledar, and that a second large offensive was plausible.{{Cite web |last=Atlamazoglou |first=Stavros |date=2023-03-12 |title=Is Putin's Military Machine Ready to Go on Another Offensive in Ukraine? |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/03/is-putins-military-machine-ready-to-go-on-another-offensive-in-ukraine/ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=19FortyFive |language=en-US |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315165056/https://www.19fortyfive.com/2023/03/is-putins-military-machine-ready-to-go-on-another-offensive-in-ukraine/ |url-status=live }} On 14 March, a Ukrainian soldier found a notebook apparently belonging to an as-yet unnamed Russian officer. The notebook seemed to provide a daily tally of manpower in a battalion-size assault group. A hundred soldiers attacked Ukrainian positions on 2 March, according to the notes. Just 16 came back. Two days later, 116 Russians attacked. Twenty-three survived. On 4 March, 103 soldiers left their bivouac. Just 15 came back. The next day, out of 115 attackers, three returned. According to the notes, that single Russian formation lost 377 troops in just a few days.{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Did the Ukrainian Army Kill 1,100 Russians In A Single Day? It's Certainly Possible. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/03/14/did-the-ukrainian-army-kill-1100-russians-in-a-single-day-its-certainly-possible/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331050732/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/03/14/did-the-ukrainian-army-kill-1100-russians-in-a-single-day-its-certainly-possible/ |archive-date=31 March 2023 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

On 3 April The Moscow Times reported that the Russian general in charge of the Vuhledar offensive, Rustam Muradov, had been dismissed.{{cite news |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/03/top-russian-general-dismissed-after-vuhledar-defeat-a80690 |title=Top Russian General Dismissed After Vuhledar Defeat |date=3 April 2023 }} The British Ministry of Defence at the time described the event as the "most senior Russian military dismissal of 2023".{{cite web|work=Evening Standard|first=David|last=Bond|date=6 April 2023|title=Putin 'dismisses top general amid Ukraine failures'|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/putin-dismisses-top-general-ukraine-war-latest-news-b1072648.html}}

On 15 April, Ukrainian Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi posted a photo of at least four destroyed Russian tanks near Vuhledar. Along with the picture, he stated that "Orcs [Russian troops] are resting [i.e., lying dead – ed.] near Vuhledar. Defence forces are holding positions near the town and preventing the enemy from approaching [the city of – ed.] Avdiivka. Our artillery is working precisely, and every soldier in the foxholes performs at the highest level."{{Cite web |last=Petrenko |first=Roman |date=15 April 2023 |title=Ukrainian Armed Forces post photo of destroyed Russian tanks near Vuhledar |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/15/7398012/ |access-date=18 April 2023 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418213057/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/15/7398012/ |url-status=live }} On 21 April, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi described how his forces had again defeated the 155th Separate Marine Brigade, and that the Ukrainian 35th Marine and 56th Brigades had captured more than twenty Russian marines during a counterattack.{{Cite web |last=Romanenko |first=Valentyna |date=21 April 2023 |title=Commander-in-Chief explains how Ukrainian marines destroyed Pacific Fleet near Vuhledar |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/21/7398928/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421181530/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/21/7398928/ |url-status=live }} Between 26 and 28 April, Ukrainian forces claimed to have destroyed at least four T-80 and T-72 tanks near Nevel's'ke, a town just 20 miles south of Vuhledar.{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |author-link=David Axe |date=28 April 2023 |title=Russian Brigades Keep Sending Tanks Into The Same Drone Kill Zone Near Donetsk |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/04/28/russian-brigades-keep-sending-tanks-into-the-same-drone-kill-zone-near-donetsk/?sh=2881bcd7a12e |access-date=29 April 2023 |website=Forbes |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429025101/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/04/28/russian-brigades-keep-sending-tanks-into-the-same-drone-kill-zone-near-donetsk/?sh=2881bcd7a12e |url-status=live }}

In May 2023, Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline near Vuhledar stated that Ukrainian forces in the area were lacking in heavy weapons, and Russian forces still held a numerical advantage in terms of troops and weaponry.{{Cite news |last1=Schwirtz |first1=Michael |last2=Kozliuk |first2=Stanislav |date=2023-04-27 |title=Ukrainian Troops Repel Russian Attacks, and Hope Western Arms Turn the Tide |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/27/world/europe/ukraine-russia-battlefield-vuhledar.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |issn=0362-4331}} Around this same time, the British Ministry of Defense stated the Russian 155th Separate Marine Brigade had "likely been reduced to combat-ineffective status."{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Two Damaged Russian Brigades Cling To the Minefields Near Vuhledar. The Ukrainians Have Them In Their Crosshairs. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/06/07/a-pair-of-damaged-russian-brigades-cling-to-the-minefields-near-vuhledar-the-ukrainians-have-them-in-their-crosshairs/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

On 2 November 2023, the 155th Marine Brigade again attempted an assault on Vuhledar, and was defeated by the Ukrainian 72nd Brigade. Casualties were reportedly heavy, with perhaps a thousand Russian lives lost, along with 60 vehicle losses (including T-72B3 and T-80BV tanks) compared to 17 vehicles lost by the Ukrainians in a single day.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/11/03/a-year-ago-russian-troops-got-massacred-assaulting-vuhledar-now-theyre-getting-massacred-trying-again/?sh=40daf4285846 A Year Ago, Russian Troops Got Massacred Assaulting Vuhledar. Now They're Getting Massacred Trying Again.]

On 10 March 2024, Ukrainian forces claimed to have repulsed a column of Russian vehicles.{{cite web |title=Russian Troops Intensify Assaults in Vuhledar Direction, Actively Deploying Night Drones |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/29540 |website=Kyiv Post|date=15 March 2024 }}

On 4 May 2024, the Ukrainians published photos of 32 damaged or destroyed Russian vehicles following an assault by the 5th Tank Brigade, the 37th Motorized Rifle Brigade, and the 40th Naval Infantry Brigade. While the exact date of the attack was unspecified, it was likely close to the date of publishing, as some of the vehicles were "turtle tanks", which Russia only started to use in the weeks preceding May.[https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-4-2024 RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MAY 4, 2024]

On 28 June 2024, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian column in Vuhledar, which had attacked and failed to cut off the defending 72nd Mechanized Brigade. The brigade claimed to have knocked out 16 T-80 tanks, 34 fighting vehicles and 19 motorcycles, and to have killed or badly wounded over 800 Russian troops in the assault.{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |date=3 July 2024 |title=Dozens Of Russians Attacked Vuhledar On Dirt Bikes. A Ukrainian Brigade Blew Up 19 Of Them. |website=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/07/03/dozens-of-russians-attacked-vuhledar-on-dirt-bikes-a-ukrainian-brigade-blew-up-19-of-them/}}

Renewed offensive efforts and capture (August–October 2024)

In late August 2024,{{cite web|work=Kyiv Post|date=10 September 2024|title= Russia Makes Gains Near 'Fortress' Vuhledar as Its Donbas Offensive Rolls On|first=Stefan|last=Korshak|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/38768|quote=After months of relative calm around Vuhledar, Russian forces kicked off repeated attacks in late August aimed at capturing the heavily fortified industrial city.}} Russia restarted offensive operations towards Vuhledar, with bombardments of the city increasing significantly while large armored assaults were launched in the city's direction. The defending 72nd Mechanized Brigade said that these attacks "were among the most intense and firepower-heavy in more than a year". Russian sources claimed that Russian forces were able to seize positions around the Coal Mine No. 1 northeast of Vuhledar by 1 September.{{cite web|work=Kyiv Post|date=2 September 2024|first=Stefan|last=Korshak|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/38334|title=Russia Widens Assaults Against Hard-Pressed Ukraine Defenses, Opens New Attack Axis in East}}

By 3 September, Russian forces had reportedly captured Prechystivka, west of Vuhledar, after a column of armored vehicles advanced into the village, and advanced into Vodiane, northeast of Vuhledar.{{cite news|date=4 September 2024|work=Radio Svaboda|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/vuhledar-zsu-otochennya-zahroza/33105735.html|lang=uk|trans-title=South Donetsk: Russian army is approaching Vuhledar|title=Південь Донеччини: армія РФ наближається до Вугледару}}{{cite web|work=The New Voice of Ukraine|date=2 September 2024|title=Russian forces attempting to flank Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast — DeepState |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-forces-attempting-to-flank-vuhledar-in-donetsk-oblast-deepstate-50447808.html}} Russian sources said the advances were part of an attempted envelopment of Ukrainian soldiers in Vuhledar.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 3, 2024 |last1=Kagan |first1=Frederick W. |last2=Evans |first2=Angelica |last3=Wolkov |first3=Nicole |last4=Gasparyan |first4=Davit |last5=Mappes |first5=Grace|work=Institute for the Study of War |date=3 September 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-3-2024}} Russian forces captured Vodiane on 8 September, bringing them closer to Vuhledar from the northeast.{{Cite web |title=Russian forces occupy Vodiane in Donetsk Oblast |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/09/9/7474090/|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=9 September 2024|first=Olha|last=Hlushchenko}}{{cite web|work=The New York Times|date=9 September 2024|title=Russian Forces Capture 2 Villages in Eastern Ukraine, Analysis Shows|first1=Maria|last2=Bigg|last1=Varenikova|first2=Matthew Mpoke|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/09/world/europe/russia-pokrovsk-ukraine.html}}{{cite web|work=Kyiv Independent|url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-ramp-ups-offensive-on-vuhledar-ukrainian-stronghold-in-the-east/|title=Russia ramps up offensive on Vuhledar, Ukrainian stronghold in the east|first=Kateryna|last=Hodunova|date=9 September 2024}} Some of the defending soldiers in Vuhledar were reportedly transferred to the front near Pokrovsk.{{cite web|work=The Moscow Times|title=Russia Could Capture Ukrainian Stronghold of Vuhledar 'In Days,' Analyst Says|date=23 September 2024|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/23/russia-could-capture-ukrainian-stronghold-of-vuhledar-in-days-analyst-says-a86434}}

The deputy commander of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade complained to war correspondents that his troops lacked air defences and were "exhausted" because they had had zero rotations since February 2022.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Christopher |date=2024-09-23 |title=Russia 'overwhelms' Ukrainian forces on eastern front |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b4baf76b-294d-496e-8e51-7ed1b8b0e6ca |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Financial Times}}

By 22 September, the threat of encirclement had deepened for the Ukrainian troops stationed in Vuhledar as Russian forces continued to advance on the city from all directions, taking hold of the last entryway to the city.{{cite web|work=Meduza|title=With manpower running thin on both sides, Russia targets Ukraine's supply lines in Donbas and Kursk region|url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2024/09/23/with-manpower-running-thin-on-both-sides-russia-targets-ukraine-s-supply-lines-in-donbas-and-kursk-region|date=23 September 2024}} A Ukrainian military analyst stated that Vuhledar "is practically surrounded" and "could fall in a matter of days". Russian forces began storming Vuhledar in the ensuing days, entering the city itself from the east, and ramped up glide bomb attacks on the city.{{cite web|work=Reuters|title=Russian forces storming east Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, bloggers and media say|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-storming-ukrainian-town-vuhledar-bloggers-media-say-2024-09-24/|date=24 September 2024}}{{cite web|work=Associated Press|date=24 September 2024|title=Ukraine says its soldiers recaptured a Russian stronghold after hand-to-hand fighting|url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-vovchansk-zelenskyy-vuhledar-ca17e5fdea72bb6e428d7e067bb93c75|first=Illia|last=Novikov}} The commander of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade was meanwhile transferred to a different position amidst a worsening situation for the brigade in Vuhledar.{{cite web|work=Ukrainska Pravda|title=Brigade commander from 72nd Mechanised Brigade defending Vuhledar transferred|date=29 September 2024|first=Roman|last=Petrenko|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/09/29/7477308/}}

Further advances along the western flank of Vuhledar northeast from Prechystivka and north from Pavlivka allowed Russian forces to simultaneously enter the city from the west by 30 September, further pressuring and threatening to fully encircle the remaining Ukrainian troops in central Vuhledar.{{Cite web |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 30, 2024 |last1=Harward |first1=Christina |last2=Hird |first2=Karolina |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Kagan |first4=Frederick W. |last5=Barros |first5=George|work=Institute for the Study of War |date=30 September 2024 |access-date=30 September 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-30-2024}} A Ukrainian soldier defending the city spoke of dwindling supplies and sustenance and how the near-encirclement of the city had necessitated using small groups of soldiers to flee Vuhledar, and that these actions were costly in casualties.{{cite web|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=James|last=Kilner|date=30 September 2024|title= Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers 'trapped' after Russia surrounds fortress city in rapid advance|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/30/russia-ukraine-war-vuhledar-soldiers-trapped-advance/}} Kyiv Post reported that soldiers of the 123rd Territorial Brigade, sent to reinforce the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, deserted their positions, causing a negative effect on morale.{{cite web|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/analysis/40288|title=ANALYSIS: Vuhledar: Why Ukrainian Troops Lost the Mining City|work=Kyivpost|date=5 October 2024}}

On 1 October, the head of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, reported that Russian troops were fighting in the city center.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=На Украине заявили о боях в центре Угледара |url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/01/10/2024/66fbf3cb9a794705dfe2b946 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=РБК |language=ru}} The city was captured the same day.{{cite web |last=Kilner |first=James |date=1 October 2024 |title=Russia secures biggest victory since February as it captures Ukrainian stronghold |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/01/russias-biggest-victory-since-february-ukrainian-stronghold/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001215126/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/10/01/russias-biggest-victory-since-february-ukrainian-stronghold/ |archive-date=1 October 2024 |access-date=1 October 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web |last=Oliynyk |first=Tetyana |date=1 October 2024 |title=DeepState: Russians occupy Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/1/7477692/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001182850/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/10/1/7477692/ |archive-date=1 October 2024 |access-date=1 October 2024 |website=Ukrainska Pravda}} The Ukrainian Khortytsia group of forces announced withdrawal the next day.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=Ukrainian forces withdraw from Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast |url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-forces-withdraw-from-vuhledar/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002104550/https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-forces-withdraw-from-vuhledar/ |archive-date=2 October 2024 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}} On 2 October, the Commander of the Ukrainian 123rd Brigade defending Vuhledar, Ihor Hryb was reported dead; an investigation was launched to determine the cause of his death, which was preliminary reported as suicide.{{cite web|url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukrainian-battalion-commander-s-death-reported-as-suicide-investigation-underway-50456184.html|title=Investigation launched into commander's death in the 123rd brigade near Vuhledar|date=5 October 2024}} The Russian Ministry of Defense officially announced the capture of the city on 3 October.{{cite web | title=Russian Defense Ministry announces liberation of Ugledar in Donetsk People's Republic | website=TASS | date=2024-10-03 | url=https://tass.com/politics/1851695 | ref={{sfnref|TASS|2024}} | access-date=2024-10-05}}

Aftermath

Following the capture of Vuhledar, Russian forces exploited the city's fall to make significant advances north and northwest of it;{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 11, 2024 |last1=Stepanenko |first1=Kateryna |last2=Gasparyan |first2=Davit |last3=Bailey |first3=Riley |last4=Harward |first4=Christina |last5=Barros |first5=George |last6=Trotter |first6=Nate |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=11 October 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-11-2024}} the settlements of Bohoiavlenka,{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 27, 2024 |last1=Harward |first1=Christina |last2=Gasparyan |first2=Davit |last3=Wolkov |first3=Nicole |last4=Trotter |first4=Nate |last5=Hird |first5=Karolina |last6=Barros |first6=George|work=Institute for the Study of War |date=27 October 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-27-2024}} Novoukrainka,{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 31, 2024 |last1=Evans |first1=Angelica |last2=Trotter |first2=Nate |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Harward |first4=Christina |last5=Kagan |first5=Frederick W. |last6=Runkel |first6=William |work=Institute for the Study of War |date=31 October 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-31-2024}} {{ill|Yasna Poliana, Volnovakha Raion, Donetsk Oblast|lt=Yasna Poliana|uk|Ясна Поляна (Волноваський район)}},{{cite web|work=Ukrainska Pravda|date=2 November 2024|title=Russians occupy Yasna Poliana in Donetsk Oblast – DeepState|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/11/2/7482579/|first=Ivashkiv|last=Olena}} {{ill|Shakhtarske, Donetsk Oblast|lt=Shakhtarske|uk|Шахтарське (Волноваський район)}},{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 4, 2024 |last1=Runkel |first1=William |last2=Gasparyan |first2=Davit |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Kagan |first4=Frederick W. |last5=Hird |first5=Karolina|last6=Wolkov|first6=Nicole|last7=Trotter|first7=Nate|work=Institute for the Study of War |date=4 November 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-4-2024}} and {{ill|Maksymivka, Donetsk Oblast|lt=Maksymivka|uk|Максимівка (Волноваський район)}}{{cite web|title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 3, 2024 |last1=Runkel |first1=William |last2=Gasparyan |first2=Davit |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |last4=Kagan |first4=Frederick W. |last5=Mappes |first5=Grace|work=Institute for the Study of War |date=3 November 2024 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-3-2024}} were captured in late October to early November 2024.

=Impact=

In February 2023, Deputy Mayor Verbovsky stated that Vuhledar "was destroyed", with "one hundred percent of the buildings damaged;" fewer than 500 civilians, and only one child, remained in the town once populated with 15,000 residents.{{cite web |title=Evacuation efforts underway in Vuhledar: One child remaining in city |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3666819-evacuation-efforts-underway-in-vuhledar-one-child-remaining-in-city.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.ukrinform.net |date=7 February 2023 |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224832/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3666819-evacuation-efforts-underway-in-vuhledar-one-child-remaining-in-city.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2023-02-04 |title=Russia Pushes to Take Ukrainian Town Near a Vital Supply Line |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-vuhledar.html |access-date=2023-02-07 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224838/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-vuhledar.html |url-status=live }} The town no longer had running water or electricity because of the damage inflicted on it, with civilians being forced to collect rainwater to drink in February.{{Cite web |title=Inside the town of Vuhledar on Ukraine's frontline where 'everything is bombed' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/inside-the-town-of-vuhledar-on-ukraines-frontline-where-everything-is-bombed-12821454 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=2 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302043258/https://news.sky.com/story/inside-the-town-of-vuhledar-on-ukraines-frontline-where-everything-is-bombed-12821454 |url-status=live }}

On 26 March 2023, Russian media reported that Muradov was demoted from his position as Commander of Eastern Military District.{{Cite web |last=Vasileva |first=Olga |date=26 March 2023 |title=Снят с должности командующий Восточной группировкой войск генерал Мурадов |trans-title=Commander of the Eastern Military District General Muradov removed from his post |url=https://antimafia.org/news/21687-cnjat_s_dolhnosti_komandujushchij_vostochnoj_gruppirovkoj_vojsk_general_muradov |access-date=2023-03-26 |website=АНТИМАФИЯ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326222114/https://antimafia.org/news/21687-cnjat_s_dolhnosti_komandujushchij_vostochnoj_gruppirovkoj_vojsk_general_muradov |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kasumov |first=Natik |date=2023-03-26 |title=СМИ: Генерал Рустам Мурадов снят с должности |trans-title=Media: General Rustam Muradov was removed from office |url=https://report.az/ru/v-regione/smi-general-rustam-muradov-snyat-s-dolzhnosti/ |access-date=2023-03-26 |website={{Interlanguage link|Report Information Agency|ru|Информационное Агентство Report}} |language=ru |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327074104/https://report.az/ru/v-regione/smi-general-rustam-muradov-snyat-s-dolzhnosti/ |url-status=live }} While this news was not officially confirmed by the Russian government, head of Russian military analysis channel Rybar, Mikhail Zvinchuk, stated that Muradov had been given a vacation that is "almost tantamount to resignation".{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=Расплата за Угледар? Инсайдеры сообщили новые подробности про отставку генерала Мурадова |trans-title=Atonement for Vuhledar? Insiders reported new details about the resignation of General Muradov |url=https://tsargrad.tv/news/rasplata-za-ugledar-insajdery-soobshhili-novye-podrobnosti-pro-otstavku-generala-muradova_750955 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Tsargrad TV |language=ru |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425014546/https://tsargrad.tv/news/rasplata-za-ugledar-insajdery-soobshhili-novye-podrobnosti-pro-otstavku-generala-muradova_750955 |url-status=live }} Following this, Russian war correspondents claimed that he had been replaced as acting commander of the Eastern Military District by Lieutenant General Andrey Kuzmenko, despite officially remaining at its head.{{Cite web |last=Dostoevskaya |first=Varvara |date=2023-03-27 |title=РВ: Врио командующего группировкой войск "Восток" назначен генерал Кузьменко |trans-title=War correspondents: General Kuzmenko has been appointed Acting Commander of the Eastern Military District |url=https://sn-gazeta.ru/interesnoe/rv-vrio-komanduyuschego-gruppirovkoy-voysk-vostok-naznachen-general-kuzmenko/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Смоленская народная газета |language=ru-RU |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328054720/https://sn-gazeta.ru/interesnoe/rv-vrio-komanduyuschego-gruppirovkoy-voysk-vostok-naznachen-general-kuzmenko/ |url-status=live }}

A May 2023 report by ReliefWeb stated that Vuhledar urban hromada, an administrative unit that contains Vuhledar and four other nearby villages, had only 1,100 civilians left out of a pre-war population of 26,000. Most of the civilians are elderly, and all services like food, water, electricity, and healthcare are nonexistent.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-03 |title=Ukraine: Deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Donetska oblast - Flash Update #3: Marinka, Vuhledar and Kurakhove (3 May 2023) [EN/RU/UK] - Ukraine {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-deterioration-humanitarian-situation-donetska-oblast-flash-update-3-marinka-vuhledar-and-kurakhove-3-may-2023-enruuk |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}} In June, RadioFreeEurope reported 60 civilians, including three children were killed since fighting began in Vuhledar.{{Cite news |last=RFE/RL |title=Living Amid The Ruins: Defiant Residents Of A Ukrainian Frontline Town Refuse To Flee |language=en |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/defiant-frontline-residents-vuhledar/32508234.html |access-date=2023-07-31}}

On 26 October 2023, the Institute for the Study of War, an American-based think-tank, assessed that Russian armored losses around Vuhledar prevented the Russian command from committing to sustained mechanized assaults elsewhere in Ukraine in the spring and winter of 2023.{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Riley |last2=Harward |first2=Christina |last3=Mappes |first3=Grace |last4=Wolkov |first4=Nicole |last5=Jhaveri |first5=Ashka |last6=Ganzeveld |first6=Annika |last7=Kagan |first7=Frederick W. |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 26, 2023 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-26-2023 |website=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=29 October 2023}}

Analysis

Vuhledar is situated on a height above the operationally significant T0509 highway between Velyka Novosilka and Novotroitske, and is key to fire control of the highway.{{Cite web |title=What Happened In Vuhledar? A Battle Points To Major Russian Military Problems |url=https://www.rferl.org/amp/ukraine-russia-battle-vuhledar/32276547.html |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}

Ukrainian officials have called the battle of Vuhledar "the biggest tank battle of the war", with over 130 Russian tanks and APCs being damaged or destroyed in the course of the battle. Analysts believed many of the Russian casualties and loss of equipment stemmed from the makeup of the Russian brigades, being predominantly untrained mobilized recruits. Military experts told the Wall Street Journal that the heavy Russian losses indicated that the soldiers likely lacked autonomy to adapt to events on the battlefield, possibly combined with poor training of recently mobilized troops.{{Cite web |title=How Russia Lost Dozens of Tanks in a Costly Battle in Eastern Ukraine |url=https://www.wsj.com/video/series/news-explainers/how-russia-lost-dozens-of-tanks-in-a-costly-battle-in-eastern-ukraine/8A247141-134F-4CA7-B151-71E0192FB8AD |date=8 March 2023 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=WSJ |language=en |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309230605/https://www.wsj.com/video/series/news-explainers/how-russia-lost-dozens-of-tanks-in-a-costly-battle-in-eastern-ukraine/8A247141-134F-4CA7-B151-71E0192FB8AD |url-status=live }}

The Daily Telegraph declared the Russian victory in the battle to be the most significant since the capture of Avdiivka in February 2024.