After the occupation of Avdiivka, russian troops received a new goal from their leadership - to capture Chasiv Yar by May 9. Find out why this settlement is a key strategic object in eastern Ukraine and how russia is trying to gain an advantage on the battlefield

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Chasiv Yar is a strategically important town in eastern Ukraine. And if russian troops manage to capture it, it will jeopardize a number of other cities in Donbas, which, among other things, are critical logistical routes for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. At the same time, after the occupation of Avdiivka, russia launched an active offensive in this direction. And as of April, russian troops managed to advance on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar.

Why this settlement is extremely important for Ukraine and what the situation at the front is now - we will tell you further in the article.

Why is Chasiv Yar a strategic town?

Chasiv Yar is a settlement located on the dominant heights 10-12 kilometers from Bakhmut. The highest point in the town is 247 meters, while in neighboring towns such as Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the average height is 100-125 meters. Thus, the city is not only a fortified area that allows controlling the surrounding territory, but also a kind of gateway to other cities, the occupation of which would mean losing control over almost the entire territory of Donetsk region.

Screenshot from deepstatemap

As Ukrainian army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn told Politico, the capture of Chasiv Yar would allow the russians to launch an offensive against the towns that are currently the last strongholds of the Ukrainian army in Donbas.

"If the Russian occupiers manage to capture this city, they will have the opportunity to launch an offensive on Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. These cities are the last strongholds of the Donetsk region under Ukrainian control," he said.

At the same time, a quick capture of these cities is not possible, as it requires a much larger grouping of forces and superiority on the battlefield. However, the loss of Chasiv Yar will seriously complicate the situation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as all logistics routes in the area will be in the palm of the enemy's hand.

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What is happening at the front and will russia be able to capture Chasiv Yar?

According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukrainian troops "literally dug into the ground" to deter the enemy's daily attacks. At the same time, military analyst and historian Mykhailo Zhyrokhov, in a commentary for BBC Ukraine, noted that Ukrainian soldiers are not only holding back the enemy on the outskirts of the city, but are also rapidly building two fortification lines west of Chasiv Yar to hinder the enemy's further movement.

But, as the publication notes, the analyst believes that russia will not directly assault the city, instead, the occupiers will try to "bypass it from the south and north." At the same time, the expert does not rule out attempts to cross the Seversky Donets-Donbas Canal if russia continues to advance at the same pace as it is now.

It is now known that russian troops have a significant advantage in artillery ammunition and aviation. Through constant assaults, the occupiers managed to find a gap and penetrate the Ukrainian defense between Bohdanivka (2 km northeast of Chasiv Yar) and Ivanivske (3 km southeast).

Screenshot from deepstatemap

At the same time, Konstantin Mashovets, a military analyst at the Information Resistance group, believes that the russian offensive on Chasiv Yar is not only a problem but also an opportunity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. By storming the city, the russian army risks losing control of the situation near Klishchiyivka and Andriivka, the settlements that were liberated during the counteroffensive of Ukrainian forces last summer.

"The group that is now advancing on Chasiv Yar and trying to break through to the city obviously risks receiving some countermeasures on its left flank," the expert believes.

However, the Ukrainian Armed Forces assure that as of mid-April, the situation in the area, although difficult, is under control.

We remind you! Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, European countries have increased their arms production and launched some of the largest exercises in history. These facts may point to the preparation of a direct clash with russia. Read what high-ranking EU officials have to say about this, what warnings Europeans are receiving, and what indicates that Europe is preparing for war in our previous article.

Main photo: 93rd OMBR Kholodny Yar, Facebook