The 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which has been defending the strategically important Vugledar region for 20 months, faces serious risks of being cut off. According to Forbes, the brigade, which numbers about 2,000 soldiers, is on the verge of exhaustion due to prolonged fighting.
Now, "the Russian 40th Marine Brigade and other brigades and regiments are now trying to outflank it and cut it off. And they are slowly succeeding.".
The publication writes that there are no reinforcements for the Ukrainian forces defending Vugledar, as "the Armed Forces of Ukraine are simultaneously attacking in the Kursk region and defending in the east and south. They are stretched to the limit.".
Forbes gives the example of the most equipped brigade – the 47th, which was equipped with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.
“After 15 months of fighting, the brigade was exhausted and finally withdrew from the front lines this month, despite a lack of well-equipped brigades to replace it,” the publication writes.
It was previously reported that the Russians broke through the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine west of Vugledar and have already entered the outskirts of the city.
