Ukrainian forces in Vuhledar face encirclement threat, analyst warns

He spoke about this on Espreso TV.

"The situation near Vuhledar is complicated, there is a threat of encirclement for Ukraine's Defense Forces in the city. Russia is trying to flank and close the ring, but it is not succeeding. Unfortunately, Russian forces have achieved some tactical successes and have now approached Vuhledar from Pavlivka in the southwest, where fighting is ongoing on the outskirts of the city," he said.

According to the analyst, Russian forces are using the same tactics everywhere.

"Russian troops employ the same tactics they used in Vuhledar, which they will also use in Kurakhove, Hirnyk, and Selydove. They bypass large towns to minimize urban fighting, aiming to inflict maximum damage on the Ukrainian Defense Forces' logistics before actually moving to seize the town. We are currently seeing the same strategy in Vuhledar. If it weren't for the logistics issues, and if our right flank in the Prechystivka area had held, we could have defended the city for a much longer time. However, since our right flank near Prechystivka has been squeezed, logistics are very poor, evacuation is difficult, and the supply of ammunition is challenging. As a result, there is a risk of losing Vuhledar," the analyst believes.

Ruslan Mykula noted that the dynamics of fighting in the Pokrovsk sector are increasing again.

"As far as I know, the intensity of fighting rose again yesterday, and Russia has made minor progress in the areas of Mykolaivka and Krutyi Yar. A large stronghold of Ukraine's Defense Forces still separates them from Myrnohrad, so the situation there is deteriorating once more," he added.

• On September 25, military expert Stupak suggested when the Ukrainian Armed Forces would have to leave Vuhledar.