Chasiv Yar situation vital in maintaining Ukraine’s control over last Donetsk Oblast agglomeration, says military observer

“The reference is mostly to the press, although our officials have also said that Russia will try to attack in late May or early June. But it is more about the directions that are already in place,” Popovych said.

“The direction to Chasiv Yar is the most worrying now.”

“The enemy is already putting pressure in this direction. And if the enemy captures Chasiv Yar, they will be able to move further towards Kostyantynivka, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka. This is the last large agglomeration of Donetsk Oblast that is under the control of Ukraine,” said the expert.

However, Popovych believes that to occupy this city and move on, the Russians need more forces and weapons.

“At the rate they are advancing, they will be trying to capture Chasiv Yar for a few more months,” he said.

“An advance to Sloviansk, Kramatorsk will take several years at this pace. They need to make a decisive offensive there, if we are talking about capturing the Donetsk Oblast up to the administrative borders. This is the task they are facing, it has always been there and it will be there.”

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian troops are trying to break through the defenses in the areas of Pervomaiske and Vodyane, as well as east of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, while Chasiv Yar is still under Ukrainian control.

ISW’s March 24 report stated that Russian troops are approaching the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, but are unlikely to be able to threaten to surround or capture it in the coming months.

Chasiv Yar is the dominant height in the region, a key town for both the enemy and us, said Oleh Kalashnikov, the head of the 26th Artillery Brigade’s press service.

On Feb. 17, Russia finally captured Avdiivka. Since then, it seems that the aggressor has focused its efforts on capturing Chasiv Yar.