Vuhledar, a town Ukrainian forces fought tooth and nail to keep, is the latest urban settlement to fall to the Russians as the war stretches deep into its third year.

The loss of Vuhledar, at the intersection of two fronts, would complicate the defense of a regional transit hub and strengthen Russian supply lines, Ukrainian soldiers say.

Ukrainian forces said Wednesday they had retreated from the stratgically key frontline town of Vuhledar in the eastern Donetsk region after two years of keeping invading Russian forces at bay.

Vuhledar had been under assault for almost three years. Russian forces entered it after a furious battle, and Ukraine ordered troops to retreat.

An eastern Ukrainian town that has managed to stay out of Russian hands for more than two years has fallen. Ukraine's military said on Wednesday that it was pulling troops from the hilltop town of Vuhledar due to the "risk of the encirclement of the city" and to "protect the military personnel and equipment,