Russia has deployed up to 25,000 troops to try to storm the Chassiv Yar region, according to kyiv.

kyiv (Reuters) – Russia has a force of 20,000 to 25,000 troops trying to storm the eastern Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar and surrounding villages, the country said on Monday. Ukrainian army, describing the situation in the region as difficult.

Ukraine fully controls Chasiv Yar, located on strategic high ground in the partially occupied Donetsk region, but Kiev’s commander-in-chief has said Russia wants to seize the city by May 9, the day of Soviet Victory Day in World War II.

“The situation around the city is difficult, but it is controllable… Our defenders are receiving reinforcements and stabilizing the line,” said Nazar Volochyn, spokesman for the Eastern Military Command.

“There are about 20,000 to 25,000 Russian military personnel trying to storm Chasiv Yar and the outskirts of nearby settlements,” he said in a televised speech on the Suspilne public channel.

Capturing Chasiv Yar would bring Russia closer to two strategically important cities under Ukrainian control, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Russia has already made progress, but long-delayed U.S. military aid is expected to reach Ukraine, relieving a severe ammunition shortage days after its expected final approval this week.

“It is difficult for our soldiers, but receiving the necessary help will equalize the situation,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Gareth Jones)