Ukrainian troops have regained lost positions around Chasiv Yar, it has been reported, as a map shows the latest state of play around the strategically important Donetsk city.
Russian forces have grouped forces in the city whose location on a hill overlooking the road towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk makes it a key target for Moscow’s bid to control the whole of the Donetsk oblast.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on Monday that Ukrainian forces had made progress in the center of Chasiv Yar as well as elsewhere in the Donetsk region. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry by email for comment.
This map, based on analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, shows Ukraine’s advance against Russian positions in Chasiv Yar, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
This map, based on analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, shows Ukraine’s advance against Russian positions in Chasiv Yar, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Newsweek/Esri/ISW
Why it matters
Ukraine’s ability to hang on to Chasiv Yar has significant consequences for this part of the front, especially after weeks of gradual Russian gains. Russia is said to be building reserves opposite the city for more attacks. Its strategic position has allowed Ukrainian forces to effectively hold it and inflict heavy losses on Russia.
What to know
The ISW said that geolocated footage on Monday showed elements of Russia’s 98th Airborne (VDV) Division targeting Ukrainian troops in the center of central Chasiv Yar.
Meanwhile, pro-Russian Telegram channels said Moscow troops had advanced in a district in the north of the city and seized the railway station although the ISW said there was no confirmation of these claims.
Last week, Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Khortytsia operational and strategic group of troops fighting in the area, said Russia is amassing reserves opposite the city for further assault operations. He noted its location overlooking the road towards the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk has allowed Ukrainian forces to effectively hold it and inflict heavy losses on Russia.
Russian forces are targeting a refractory materials plant but “Ukrainian soldiers are now defeating them and repelling their attacks,” he said according to RBC Ukraine.
Trehubov said Monday that Russian forces are attacking Chasiv Yar’s urban areas, crossing the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal, and continuing to try to attack the refractory plant.
But Ukraine was holding on to the plant, which is a key defensive position and that the intensity of Russian attacks on the facility have slightly decreased, he added.
“Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions in central Chasiv Yar amid Russian forces continued offensive operations in the surrounding area,” the ISW said on Monday.
One of its maps marked these Ukrainian gains as well as the claims by Russian sources. Another map shows Ukrainian advances in northwestern Toretsk, around 20 miles to the south and near Pokrovsk, 50 miles to the southwest. Newsweek‘s map also shows Russian advances near Kurakhove, Vuhledar and Velyka Novosilka.
What people are saying
Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia groups said: “The city is effectively holding on.”
The ISW said on Monday: “Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions in central Chasiv Yar amid Russian forces continued offensive operations in the surrounding area.”
What happens next
Trehubov’s comments suggest that Russia will continue its bid to storm Chasiv Yar. “Chasiv Yar is one of their key goals, because it is a hill,” he said, according to Suspilne, “from there there is a direct road to Sloviansk-Kramatorsk.”
This shows that the fight for the control of Donetsk will continue into the New Year, especially with Ukraine able to regain lost positions in Toretsk.
Ukrainian soldiers drive on a road leading to the town of Chasiv Yar, in Kostyantynivka, eastern Donetsk region, on December 10, 2024. Ukraine’s troops have made gains in the city, according to the Institute for…
Ukrainian soldiers drive on a road leading to the town of Chasiv Yar, in Kostyantynivka, eastern Donetsk region, on December 10, 2024. Ukraine’s troops have made gains in the city, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
ROMAN PILIPEY//Getty Images
War Map Reveals Ukraine Recapturing Lost Positions In Critical Fortress City
