Russian forces captured Ugledar in 10 days after entered city on september 23th. Pro Ukraine Deep state map confirming pro Russian sources that Ugledar is under Russian control. Russian forces had previously launched at least three major attempts to take Ugledar, but had been repelled with Ukraine’s 72nd Separate Mechanised Brigade that sustained high casualties. From about 5,000 man at beginning of the battle for Ugledar the 72nd brigade was reduced to about 2,000 man. The part of brigade was sent to reinforce the flanks of Ugledar defended by Ukraine Teritorial defence brigade. 
Recently replaced Colonel Ivan Vinnik, commander of Ukraine’s 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade was appointed in August 2022. Under his command, the brigade has defended Ugledar for more than two years.
Some sources saying that after Russian forces outflanked Ugledar he refused to follow Zelensky order to defend the city like Bakhmut and Avdivka and requested to withdraw the unit from city before full encirclement.
It became clear that the city will fall when the Russians effectively cut off the only remaining lifeline route – the road from Vuhledar to Bohoyavlenka. Russian troops advanced so close that their artillery and kamikaze drones targeted anyone and anything moving on that road.
The situation became critical when Russian troops entered the city and after replacement of commander the Ukrainian units started in small groups retreating without waiting for the order to pull out.
The pro Russian sources saying that more than 300 soldiers of Teritorial Defence Forces surrendered and that paths towards Bohoyavlenka are covered with several hundred’s dead soldiers of 72nd brigade.
On Sept. 25, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said that Russian forces did not reach outskirt of Ugledar and a day later, the brigade refuted reports that it was retreating from the town and released a video from the city.
Battle for Ugledar v Avdiivka
Russian forces first entered Ugledar on September 23th and fully captured in 10 days may indicate that Ukraine forces are in deep trouble.
The battle for Avdiivka similar Ukraine stronghold was from 20 January 2024 when first Russian forces broke through Ukrainian defenses in southern Avdiivka, capturing the fortified “Tsarska Okhota” restaurant and advanced north along Soborna Street. On 17 February, after 147 days Ukrainian forces withdrew from Avdiivka.
The capture of Ugledar can potentially threaten the security of the entire southwestern portion of Donetsk under Ukraine control, along with the threat to Pokrovsk’s southern flank.
Russian Ministry of Defence did not confirmed capture of Ugledar.
Kurakhovo
The Russian army continues its offensive, moving towards Kurakhovo. Like Bogoyavlenka in the south, Tsukurino represents the last line of Ukrainian defense the Russians need to take in order to cut off the Ukrainian grouping in Gornyak and Kurakhovka from the main forces. On Sunday night, assault on the village began, Russian troops have gained a foothold around the railway station and have largely pushed the Ukraine Forces beyond the railway line to the south. Ukraine’s main problem here is not the lack of fortifications but the fact that all the fortifications behind Tsukurino were built to repel Russian’s attacks from south to north. Since the Russians are attacking from north to south, they are effectively in the Ukraine’s forces rear and this presents a major problem for the Ukrainian forces defending the area.
