Russia plans to intensify offensive, occupy left bank of Ukraine: AFU soldier Tymochko on situation at front

He spoke about this on Espreso TV.

"If we look at Chasiv Yar in a tactical sense, it is a direction that the Russians are trying to occupy in order to create a foothold for an offensive towards Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk. The enemy is acting in operational terms, combining its military groups from the Avdiivka direction, as its main task is to completely occupy the Donetsk region. It also aims to complete the capture of Luhansk region and create threats to Kharkiv region, in particular towards the Oskil water reservoir," commented the head of the Reservists Council of Armed Forces.

According to him, Russian troops hope to build such a front line to be able to advance, and in the summer or late summer to increase the offensive and threaten the occupation of the left bank of Ukraine.

"We observe that the enemy is facing the task of occupying Chasiv Yar in a short time, as we see the strength and mass of human resources that the Russian army is deploying towards Chasiv Yar. The enemy aircraft are destroying this town, using the same tactics that were used against Avdiivka. The enemy is trying to pull up reserves from Kharkiv and Luhansk regions. I would not say that after Avdiivka, Chasiv Yar is the occupiers' No. 1 target, but it is one of the priority areas they are trying to capture, assuming that we have a certain shortage of shells, some problems with air defense systems, but at this stage there are no significant successes or threats of a breakthrough in this area. Ukrainian troops are holding back the enemy with the forces and resources they have available today. If the enemy is making progress in the direction of Chasiv Yar, it is minimal," summarized Tymochko.

• On April 4, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff reported that 65 combat engagements took place over the past day. Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks in 6 directions and killed 670 soldiers.