Now, though, Russian military bloggers confirmed that the Kremlin’s forces have nearly surrounded it and have started to predict that Vuhledar will fall.

“The commander of the 72nd Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, responsible for the defence of the city, has been removed from office. Our troops are methodically destroying enemy firing points in the city,” said the Two Majors Telegram channel, which has almost 1.2 million subscribers.

Other Russian officials have said that 5,000 Russian soldiers have been transferred to the battle for Vuhledar and that a major push is planned.