Ukrainian Vuhledar defenders withdraw after two years of defending key city from Russia

A key Ukrainian city has fallen to Russian Armed Forces after initially resisting two years of relentless attack, according to reports.

Moscow has reportedly conquered the south-eastern city of Vuhledar, originally populated by 14,000 people, after overpowering members of the Ukrainian 72nd Mechanized Brigade who were defending the coal mining town.

It is believed that Vuhledar was attacked on three sides by members of the Russian Army and has been under repeated assault since the start of the conflict in 2022.

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Videos have circulated online apparently showing Russian soldiers raising flags over the remains of buildings in Vuhledar.

Ukraine has yet to release a statement regarding the situation in Vuhledar, a city located on high ground which holds strategic value to both sides. 

Originally built around a mine in the mid-1960s by the Soviet Union, Vuhledar now has two mines and significant coal reserves.

Elsewhere, Moscow is attempting to conquer the cities of Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar, another city located on high ground.