Kyiv: Ukraine’s top commander issued a grave warning on Sunday (local time), revealing Russian forces’ intentions to seize control of the town of Chasiv Yar by May 9th. This strategic move sets the stage for a pivotal battle for dominance over elevated terrain in the eastern region, where Russia is intensifying its offensives.
The potential fall of Chasiv Yar, situated west of the embattled city of Bakhmut, coinciding with Moscow’s celebration of Soviet victory in World War II, signifies a significant push by Russian forces and poses a serious challenge for Kyiv amid a slowdown in Western military support.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who sounded the alarm about the deteriorating situation in the east, disclosed Russia’s concentrated efforts to secure Chasiv Yar before advancing towards Kramatorsk. Located in the Donetsk region, Chasiv Yar lies within 5-10 kilometers from Bakhmut, a city ravaged by Russian forces last year following protracted clashes.
Kyiv’s brigades are currently repelling assaults near Chasiv Yar, bolstered by reinforcements in ammunition, drones, and electronic warfare apparatus, as conveyed in a statement on the Telegram messenger.
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“The threat remains imminent, as Russian military leadership has tasked its troops with seizing Chasiv Yar by May 9th,” Colonel General Syrskyi cautioned, refraining from divulging further details.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, in a Facebook post, reported his visit to Ukrainian units on the eastern front, depicting the situation as “tense,” with Russia striving to gain ground in areas west of Bakhmut. Despite facing numerical odds, Ukrainian forces are effectively thwarting these advances through valor, training, and professionalism, he noted.
May 9th holds significance for Russia, marked by a grand military parade on Red Square under the watch of President Vladimir Putin, following his re-election for a six-year term earlier in March.
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Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks with Russia launching three substantial airstrikes on Ukrainian power plants and substations, raising concerns about the resilience of the energy system, already strained during the initial phases of the conflict.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians in his nightly address, acknowledging the mounting challenges at the frontlines, particularly in the Donetsk region, amid ongoing hostilities.
Zelenskyy has cautioned of a potential major offensive by the Kremlin in late spring or summer, with Russian aggression concentrated in the Donetsk region.
Facing manpower shortages and artillery shell deficits, Ukraine has sought to retaliate against the Kremlin, deploying domestically-produced long-range drones to target oil facilities deep inside Russia.
Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, emphasized the strategic importance of Chasiv Yar, situated on defensible high ground. He noted that its capture could facilitate Russia’s advancement deeper into Donetsk region as part of an anticipated summer offensive.
“Immediate increased deliveries of ammunition could prove critical,” Lee emphasized, underscoring the urgency of bolstering Ukraine’s defenses.
