Major Russian assault in Vuhledar unlikely to yield breakthrough, UK says

An aerial view shows damaged buildings, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Vuhledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on January 27, 2023. 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - A major new Russian assault on the Ukrainian-held bastion of Vuhledar could make local gains but is unlikely to lead to an operational breakthrough, Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

In an intelligence update, the British ministry said Russia had been assaulting the coal mining town with a force at least the size of a brigade, a unit that normally comprises several thousand troops.