Ukraine Army Retreats from Strategic Town in Eastern Donetsk as Russian Assault Continues

KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine's army has recently withdrawn from a neighborhood in the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, a strategically significant town in the eastern Donetsk region. The town has been subjected to continuous Russian attacks, reducing it to rubble over the past few months. Chasiv Yar, located west of the captured city of Bakhmut, has been a primary target for Russian forces, who seek to seize the entire Donetsk region.

According to Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia ground forces formation, the Ukrainian army has retreated from a northeastern neighborhood in Chasiv Yar. Voloshyn stated that the defensive positions in the town were completely destroyed by intense Russian artillery strikes, leaving no intact buildings. He emphasized that remaining in the area would put Ukrainian troops at risk of serious casualties.

Reports from the region indicate that Russian troops have resorted to scorched-earth tactics, burning down buildings that were not already destroyed by shelling. Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of the 255 assault battalion stationed in the area, described the situation as a gradual loss of territory. Shyriaiev noted that despite the 10-to-1 outnumbering of Ukrainian forces, Russian advances have been limited during the past six months of active fighting.

The intensity of Russian attacks in the Chasiv Yar area has escalated in recent weeks. Voloshyn stated that in the past week alone, Russia launched nearly 1,300 strikes, fired approximately 130 glide bombs, and carried out 44 ground assaults. Russian forces have also targeted nearby settlements in an attempt to advance towards Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the largest Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region.

Ukrainian commanders in the area expressed concerns about stretched resources, primarily due to a significant gap in military assistance from the United States. They emphasized that despite the arrival of ammunition from allies, the supply is insufficient to meet the army's needs in the face of Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, in the northern Chernihiv region, Governor Viacheslav Chaus reported that Russia launched 22 drones over Ukraine last night, resulting in one hitting a power infrastructure facility and leaving nearly 6,000 customers without electricity. Chaus affirmed that the remaining drones were successfully shot down.

As the conflict continues to escalate, Ukraine remains determined to defend its territory. However, the devastating impacts of Russian assaults and the lack of timely military assistance pose significant challenges for the Ukrainian army.