Ukrainian soldier: Enemy loses 1,000 occupants near Chasiv Yar in a week

Near Chasiv Yar, the Russian army may lose about one thousand soldiers, killed and wounded, in a week, said Andriy Polukhin, a spokesman for the press service of the 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after King Danylo.

He shared this information on Hromadske Radio.

«The Russians are in their previously captured positions—a neighborhood in the east of Chasiv Yar, which they destroyed and managed to capture several months ago. The front line is now fixed along the Siversky Donets Canal and has not changed recently. Our troops are holding the line, using the canal as a defensive structure. Every day, the enemy tries to seize the initiative and cross the canal, but they fail thanks to the coordinated work of our brigade and neighboring units holding their frontline areas. The situation is very tense; there are daily assaults, but it is not deteriorating yet», — he emphasized.

According to Polukhin, the Russian army is using weapons, including artillery, mortars, and drones, to support its infantry assaults.

He added that the pressure near Chasiv Yar has not eased since the offensive in Kursk, but at the same time there is no indication that the situation is worsening.

Additionally, Polukhin confirmed that more than 500 civilians remain in Chasiv Yar. This figure was previously reported by the head of the city’s military administration, Serhiy Chaus.

«It’s true that most of the remaining civilians are pensioners, people with limited mobility, or those who have no idea how to leave—they are mostly marginalized. This situation makes the war difficult because it prevents us from having complete freedom to fire on the enemy or counter their assaults. It is hard to make decisions when our troops know that civilians live in the next house and an assault group is passing by», — he added.

Polukhin stressed that access to Chasiv Yar is problematic, so humanitarian aid is delivered to the locals through the military:

«The enemy is trying to disrupt logistics with drones, targeting the same roads used by humanitarian organizations. Our troops share supplies whenever they have the opportunity. This is how the locals survive.»

Polukhin also highlighted the strategic importance of Chasiv Yar for the Russians:

«Chasiv Yar is located at a height in front of the agglomeration of cities such as Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, and Kramatorsk. From this elevated position, it would be easier for them to launch assaults on these cities. But our men will not give up this city without a fight. The defense is holding very well, and there is no sign of a breakthrough yet.»

When asked if Ukrainian radio stations could be heard in Chasiv Yar, the soldier replied:

«It’s hard to say for sure. When we go to Chasiv Yar, we don’t turn on the radio. We try to listen to what’s happening around us to respond to any immediate danger. It has been a long time since we could pick up any kind of signal. Back then, there was fighting for Bakhmut, but Chasiv Yar was still relatively safe. However, Russian signals were still coming through strongly. A very strong signal reaches the Donetsk region, but Ukrainian signals also do. If someone wanted to find it, they could do so quite easily with a good, clear signal. We need to check how it is at the moment.»

More about the events in Chasiv Yar

As a reminder, Russian troops continue their offensive in the area of Chasiv Yar. They are trying to cross the canal and reach the main part of the city. The enemy is also fighting to the east and south of Chasiv Yar.

Earlier, Yevgeny Tkachev, a member of the Proliska humanitarian mission, said that people leave Chasiv Yar because they are injured or sick, or the elderly become weak and have no one to look after them, and only then do they agree to leave. As a result, there may be a small percentage of «waiters» (those who wait for the Russians – ed.) in the city.

Colonel Ruslan Muzychuk, spokesperson for the National Guard of Ukraine, also spoke about the events in Chasiv Yar on Hromadske Radio.

«The canal itself and the water barrier, in general, are important elements of defense. The enemy has been trying to assault this area for a long time. The number of infantry groups they send to this area gives them a significant advantage. Chasiv Yar is one of the points where the Russians are trying to succeed and enter the city», — he said at the time.

The National Guard spokesperson also noted that Russian troops are trying to advance not only from the canal but also from the village of Ivanivske and south of Chasiv Yar.

«They are conducting active military operations in the area of Klishchiyivka and Andriivka to achieve certain tactical successes and ensure advancement, particularly south of Chasiv Yar. Actions in the area of Ivanivske may indicate that the enemy is considering the possibility of maneuvers, including trying to outflank Chasiv Yar and displace our forces», — Muzychuk said.