Russia has a force of 20,000-25,000 troops trying to storm the eastern Ukrainian city of Chasov Yar and surrounding villages, the Ukrainian military said today, describing the situation in the area as difficult, Reuters reported.
Ukraine has full control of Chasov Yar, which sits on strategic high ground in the partially occupied Donetsk region, but Kiev’s top commander has said Russia wants to capture the city by May 9, the Soviet Victory Day in World War II .
“The situation around the city is difficult, but controllable. Our defenders are receiving reinforcements and stabilizing the line,” Nazar Voloshin, spokesman for the Eastern Command of the Ukrainian army, said on national television. “Somewhere around 20,000-25,000 Russian troops are trying to storm Chasov Yar and the outskirts of the settlements near it.”
The capture of Chasov Yar would bring Russia closer to two strategically important cities under Ukrainian control, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
Russian troops have already moved forward, but long-delayed US military aid is expected to reach Ukraine, easing a critical ammunition shortage, within days of its expected final approval this week, Reuters noted.
“It is difficult for our soldiers, but getting the necessary help will level the situation,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Telegram.
Source: BTA
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