Kyiv, Ukraine – Russian forces claimed on Wednesday to have captured a district in the critical hilltop town of Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, where they have been advancing for months. The announcement from Moscow came shortly after reports from Kyiv indicated that Russian strikes on the industrial city of Dnipro resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to nearly three dozen more, including a 14-year-old girl.
According to the Russian defense ministry, their troops had “liberated” the Novy district of Chasiv Yar, although it remains uncertain if they have crossed a canal which divides the eastern part of the town. The capture of Chasiv Yar, a significant military hub once home to about 12,000 residents, would facilitate Russian progress towards the few remaining Ukrainian-controlled civilian centers in the Donetsk region.
The DeepState military blog, with connections to the Ukrainian army, also reported Russia’s capture of the district. The blog described the area as heavily damaged by Russian bombardments, suggesting that withdrawing was seen as a strategic yet challenging decision.
In February, CBS News senior foreign correspondent, Charlie D’Agata, visited Chasiv Yar and witnessed the devastation caused by artillery fire. Ukrainian troops, exhausted and seeking assistance, left a message painted on a bombed-out building, highlighting their need for artillery shells and aviation support.
Since then, the U.S. government has pledged more military aid to Ukraine, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken announcing a $150 million assistance package. The aid includes missiles for air defense systems, artillery rounds, mortars, anti-tank missiles, and other weaponry to enhance Ukraine’s defenses.
In response to the recent Russian attack on Dnipro, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Western partners to strengthen his country’s air defenses and provide additional long-range weapons to counter Russian assaults. The attack in Dnipro resulted in casualties, including a 14-year-old girl, according to regional officials.
Separately, reports from eastern regions Donetsk and Kharkiv indicated that two civilians were killed in overnight Russian attacks. This escalation underscores the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for international support to safeguard the lives of civilians in Ukraine.