Russian victory in Chasiv Yar would jeopardize ‘last stronghold’ of Donetsk region, Ukrainians say – POLITICO

Chasiv Yar is a strategically important town located 10 kilometers from Bakhmut. It is located on dominant heights, advantageous for defense and allows control of the surrounding area. It is currently under the total control of kyiv but also suffers sustained attacks from Russian troops.

“This is the dominant height in the region and its control will allow the Russian invaders, if they succeed, to significantly simplify their advance towards Kostiantynivka and towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk,” Voloshyn said.

The Kremlin ordered that Chasiv Yar be seized by May 9, the day Russia celebrates the Soviet victory in World War II and a holy holiday for Russian military propaganda that desperately needs a big victory on the war front, added Voloshyn.

Russian military bloggers confirmed that Chasiv Yar is an important step on the path to occupying the entire Donetsk region and achieving one of the “main goals of the special operation that Putin set for them.”

Ukrainian troops have so far “literally dug into the ground” to contain the enemy’s daily attacks, Oleksandr Syrskiy, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, said in a statement on Sunday.

Russian forces used their numerical advantage to stage attacks in small groups with artillery and aviation support, destroying civilian buildings and critical infrastructure with aerial bombs and artillery, then dispatching their troops storm the reinforced Ukrainian positions. Recently, Russia redeployed its troops from nearby Lyman to Chasiv Yar.