The Ukrainian army has withdrawn from the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, a strategically important town in the Donetsk region, after months of relentless Russian artillery strikes. The town, which was once home to 12,000 people, has been reduced to rubble, with all buildings destroyed. Ukrainian commanders have reported that their resources are stretched, largely due to a months-long gap in military assistance from the US.
The Russian army has focused its efforts on capturing Chasiv Yar, a town that occupies a strategic, boostd location. Its fall would put nearby cities in jeopardy, compromise critical Ukrainian supply routes, and bring Russia closer to its stated aim of seizing the entire Donetsk region. For months, Russian forces have pounded the town with artillery strikes, firing nearly 1,300 strikes in the past week alone. Ukrainian officials have warned that the situation may worsen as winter approaches.
The intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s defensive line in the area of Chasiv Yar has increased over the last month, according to Mr. Voloshyn, the spokesman for the Khortytsia ground forces formation. He stated that there was a threat of serious casualties if troops remained in the area and that Russia did not leave “a single intact building”. Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from a north-eastern area in the town of Nazar Voloshyn, citing the destruction of their defensive positions.
Ukraine’s Defenses Shattered by Russian Assault
The Ukrainian military has been struggling to maintain its defensive line in the face of relentless Russian attacks. The country’s leaders have said that resources are stretched, largely due to the months-long gap in military assistance from the US. In June, members of the artillery brigade in Chasiv Yar reported that supplies of American ammunition had started to arrive, but it has not been enough to reverse the tide of the war.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued to target Ukraine’s badly-damaged energy infrastructure, resulting in hours of rolling blackouts across the country. Last night, Russia launched 22 drones over Ukraine, with one hitting an infrastructure facility in the northern Chernihiv region, leaving nearly 6,000 customers without electricity. The rest of the drones were shot down, according to the air force’s morning update.
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, with the country’s defensive positions under intense pressure. The withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Chasiv Yar is a significant blow to Ukraine’s efforts to hold onto the town, and it is likely that Russia will continue to push its advantages in the coming weeks. The international community will be watching the situation closely, as the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate.
