Were there chances to hold Vuhledar? New commander of the 'Black Zaporozhians' commented on the withdrawal from the city for the first time.

Ukrainian soldiers were unable to hold Vuhledar due to the lack of necessary forces and means. This was stated by Colonel Oleksandr Okhrimenko, commander of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians, in a conversation with Glavcom.

According to Okhrimenko, she took command during a difficult period. After September 27, the situation in which the 72nd brigade operated became very tense, especially on the flanks, making it impossible to hold Vuhledar. In fact, it was a tactical encirclement, and withdrawing the troops and replenishing ammunition became very difficult, explained the military.

Okhrimenko emphasized that the reserves that could previously help were already under enemy fire as of September 27-28, and in some areas, they were receiving fire from heavy weapons.

In particular, he noted: "With the forces and means that were at our disposal, holding Vuhledar was objectively not possible." It follows that the defense of the city lost its strategic importance due to the change in the situation in the south of Donbas, noted Okhrimenko.

Recall that Colonel Okhrimenko was entrusted to lead the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians already when Vuhledar was almost surrounded.

On September 28, Okhrimenko replaced Hero of Ukraine Ivan Vynnyk in the position, stating that this was done for career advancement and the transfer of combat experience. An official message from the General Staff confirms this rotation.

A few days later, on October 2, it was officially announced that Ukrainian troops had left Vuhledar.

The main command had the opportunity to speak with Colonel Okhrimenko to ask him about how the 72nd brigade left Vuhledar, why it didn't leave it earlier, and what the situation is now on this part of the front.