A Ukrainian BMP-2 defeated an invaders’ BMP-2, which was then captured, in a battle near Vuhledar.

Soldiers from the 72nd Brigade’s TOTEM platoon of unmanned aerial vehicles said that the Russian crew had been eliminated.

The Russian armored vehicle and the Ukrainian one met on the road northwest of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region.

A Ukrainian drone monitored the Russians’ movement. The Ukrainian BMP-2 was the first to open fire on the vehicle with the invaders.

The BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle is equipped with a 2A42 30mm automatic cannon that can easily penetrate the armor of a Soviet armored vehicle.

After the Russians were eliminated, the infantry fighting vehicle was taken over by Ukrainian soldiers, who managed to start the BMP and drive it to their positions.

Ukrainian troops have already left the town of Vuhledar due to the threat of encirclement.

“The enemy was sending reserves for flanking attacks that depleted the defense forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result of these actions, a serious threat of encirclement arose,” the command said.

The High Command decided to maneuver to withdraw Ukrainian units from Vuhledar to save personnel and military equipment.

“The operation is aimed at preserving resources and preparing for future defensive or offensive operations in this area,” the command said.

Vuhledar was home to about 15,000 people before the full-scale invasion. The city was destroyed in 2023. A few days before the capture of Vuhledar, there were just over 100 residents left.

Recently, soldiers of the 79th Air Assault Brigade fought off a massive Russian attack in the Kurakhove sector.