Russian forces have taken full control of the town of Vuhledar in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Ukraine’s military has said.
Pro-Russian military bloggers had reported earlier on Wednesday that the strategic hilltop town had fallen to Moscow, delivering a significant blow to Ukraine’s forces in the east of the country.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces later confirmed the loss, saying it had withdrawn its troops from the town, according to the Sirena Telegram channel.
On Tuesday, Donetsk governor Vadym Filashkin said that Russian troops had entered the town, but that fighting was ongoing amid an “extremely difficult” situation.
Newsweek had contacted the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries for comment.
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