Chasiv Yar under threat: Russian advance heightens eastern Ukraine tensions
Russian forces are moving towards the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine. "The capture of this locality by the aggressor does not seem likely within the next few months," assessed the latest report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
On Saturday, the Ministry of Defense in Moscow maintained that the invaders had taken control of the village of Iwaniwske, situated between Chasiv Yar and Bachmut, which is under Russian control.
The next day, so-called Russian military bloggers, that is, internet commentators supporting the aggression on Ukraine, argued that the invasion forces had already reached the outskirts of Chasiv Yar. "According to the most likely estimates, the Russian military positions are, however, about 1.5 kilometres east of the town's borders" - reads the American think tank's report.
ISW noted that Ukrainian engineering units had built fortifications in the shape of a ring around Chasiv Yar, which would significantly hinder the Russians from encircling or capturing this locality, especially in a situation where the invaders likely decided against transferring larger forces from Avdiivka to the front section near Bachmut.
Russians storming key location: The battles could last months
In the think tank's opinion, the potential capture of Chasiv Yar could have greater operational significance for the Russians than the capture in February of the much larger Avdiivka, located near Donetsk.
According to analysts, if the Russian forces took control over Chasiv Yar, they could attempt an offensive on Kostiantynivka, long viewed by the Kremlin as an important objective in the Donbas.
Chasiv Yar, with about 12,000 inhabitants before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is located roughly 15 kilometres west of the town of Bachmut, captured and destroyed by the invading forces in May 2023. Chasiv Yar has sheltered many civilians from the surrounding localities, mainly from Bachmut, over the last two years.
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Source: PAP
