Russia is apparently planning a milestone in the Ukraine war: the front-line city of Chasiv Yar is to be taken - and by a symbolic day.
Chasiv Yar – Russia continues to advance in the Ukraine war in Ukraine. In view of the incessant Russian attacks, Ukraine says it has strengthened its defense in the east near the frontline town of Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut. Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyj announced on Sunday that additional weapons and drones had been sent there.
According to Syrskyj on Saturday, the situation on the front in the east had recently “deteriorated significantly”. The strategically important front-line town of Chasiv Yar was under “continuous fire,” he said. And in his opinion, not without reason.
Russia wants to capture the important city of Chasiv Yar in the Ukraine war
Syrsky is convinced that Russia wants to take the city on the Siwerskyi-Donets-Donbas Canal by May 9th. He recently visited the troops in the front-line town west of Bakhmut and reported on Facebook that attacks had been successfully repelled, but: “At the same time, the threat remains, as the Russian military leadership has given its troops the task of destroying Chasiv Yar by May 9th to take.”
Why May 9th? On this day, Russia celebrates Victory Day over Nazi Germany with opulent military parades. The Kiev army chief apparently suspects that ruler Vladimir Putin wants to use the occasion to announce territorial gains in the Ukraine conflict. According to Syrsky, Russia wants to break through Ukrainian defenses west of Bakhmut, gain access to the Siversky-Donets-Donbas Canal and capture Chasiv Yar. This creates the conditions for further advances towards Kramatorsk.
War in Ukraine: Weapons still needed against Russian attacks
Bakhmut, which was completely destroyed in the end, had already been conquered by the Russians in May last year. Chassiv Yar is about 20 kilometers west of it. In response to Russia's alleged plan, measures were taken to "significantly reinforce" troops on the ground with ammunition, drones and electronic warfare equipment.
Russia has been regularly reporting successes by its own army in the Avdiivka area for weeks, while the Ukrainian army is suffering from the consequences of a lack of ammunition and difficulties recruiting new soldiers.
Given the difficult situation in the east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned a few days ago that his country would be defeated in the war against the Russian attackers. Ukraine is desperately waiting for further military aid from the USA, which has been the country's most important military supporter since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Since the end of last year, Republicans in the US Congress have been blocking a new Ukraine aid package worth $60 billion (around €55 billion) under pressure from former President Donald Trump.
Germany supplies Ukraine with another Patriot system
Germany announced on Saturday that it would soon deliver a third Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) personally agreed to the delivery in a telephone conversation with Zelensky, as a government spokesman in Berlin announced. Both agreed “that further efforts from partners” are necessary to strengthen Ukrainian air defense.
Zelenskyj thanked Scholz on the online service X for the decision. Accordingly, the Chancellor also promised additional air defense missiles for the Patriot systems currently in use. “Thank you, Olaf, for your leadership,” wrote the Ukrainian leader. “This is a real sign of support for Ukraine at a critical moment.” (ial with dpa and AFP)