The Vuhlehirska Power Station in Ukraine’s Donetsk region has been captured by The Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organisation, RIA Novosti cites Vitaly Kiselyov of the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic,” a pro-Russian breakaway state in eastern Ukraine.
“The power station has been controlled by Ukraine’s army since 22 May when their troops retreated from Svitlodarsk to avoid encirclement,” Kiselyov wrote on Telegram.
The Wagner Group is clearing the area of their opponents; there are still some Ukrainian troops there, RT cites reporter Murad Gazdiev.
Ukraine has yet to comment on the matter. The country’s Defence Ministry reported this morning that Russia had delivered airstrikes in the area and attempted an assault on the settlement of Semyhirya, which resulted in failure and heavy losses.
The ‘DPR’, another pro-Russian puppet state, reported clearing the power station area of Ukrainian troops yesterday. Gazdiev also reported that the facility had been captured by the Wagner Group two days ago.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War cites various Russian and Ukrainian sources reporting that Russian forces are taking control of the territory of the power plant on the northern edge of Novoluhanske, likely as a result of a controlled Ukrainian withdrawal from the area. The ISW also believes that the capture of Novoluhanske and the power plant will not generate an advantageous salient along which Russian troops will be able to advance northwards towards Bakhmut.
