Brigade commander of 72nd Brigade defending Vuhledar released: what is known 29 September 2024

Ivan Vinnik, commander of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians, which is defending Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast, has been dismissed. Today, on September 29, he thanked his colleagues for their joint work. UNN reports with reference to Vinnik's Facebook post.

From the summer of 2022 to today, I have had a long and difficult journey. But it was not difficult, because I did not overcome it alone. I had a loyal and motivated team by my side. I thank each and every one of you for your patience, will and strength. Thank you for listening, hearing, talking, and offering suggestions. Thank you for our joint struggle. Thank you for being there for me. I really appreciate it! I am honored to be a part of the Black Cossacks, and the bond that has been formed between us will remain forever

On September 20, the Sever Command announced the appointment of Vinnik to a new higher position “for the purpose of promotion and to transfer combat experience.” It was stated that under Vinnik's leadership, the brigade had gone through “a difficult path, but it adequately maintained the defense areas assigned to it.

“First there was Bakhmut, then Vuhledar, where in January-February 2023 the brigade was able to repel one of the largest offensives during the Russian-Ukrainian war,” said in the ‘North’ JCM.

Appendix 

Over the past day, September 28, in the Vremivsk sector , the enemy made 16 attempts to seize our positions near Vuhledar, Vodiane and Katerynivka in the Donetsk region. He also attacked from the direction of Prychystivka.

On September 25, RMA head Vadym Filashkin reported that on the outskirts of Vuhledar , Donetsk region, some Russian subversive groups were trying to break into the city, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces were destroying these groups. 

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