Russia intensifies assault on Chasiv Yar, Ukraine's Zmiy-500 showcases engineering ingenuity. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Russian forces intensify push against Ukrainian defenses in Chasiv Yar

The battle for Chasiv Yar, possibly the longest ongoing battle, began in April last year and continues to this day. The Russian army managed to break through from the north and occupy the territory of the industrial zone of the Chasiv Yar Refractory Plant. Now they are trying to push Ukrainian defenses in the town, relying on the unlimited strength of their infantry. Chasiv Yar stands on the hills and is the highest point for hundreds of kilometers around. The height is over 275 meters, which is twice as high as the heights near Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 8-15, Photo: Espreso

The town is indeed the gateway to the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. Chasiv Yar remains the administrative center of the Ukrainian-controlled part of Donetsk region. There are industrial enterprises, a transportation hub, railways, etc. If the occupying Russian army manages to push through and capture Chasiv Yar, they will certainly have the entire agglomeration of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in the palm of their hands. Back in the winter of 2023, the Russians created a fairly strong grouping of mostly airborne troops that moved from Bakhmut toward Chasiv Yar. 

Several Ukrainian defensive lines stood in Russia's path, but by early April 2024, Russian forces had managed to advance close to Chasiv Yar, particularly reaching the town’s eastern outskirts from Bohdanivka and Ivanivske. The fighting in this area has now intensified significantly. It is important to note that Chasiv Yar is bisected from north to south by the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal, which serves as an artificial fortification. Its concrete structure makes it difficult to cross, and certain sections contain pipes that further complicate movement. For a time, the canal acted as a strong defensive barrier, slowing Russia’s advance. However, by mid-summer 2024, Russian troops managed to breach the canal in some areas and have since captured the industrial zone of the Chasiv Yar refractory plant.

Fighting continues in both the northern and southern parts of Chasiv Yar, while the central part of the town remains under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. However, intense combat is taking place for every house, making it difficult to determine the exact location of the contact line. Several Ukrainian brigades are actively defending Chasiv Yar, including the 24th Brigade, the 5th Brigade, and units of the National Guard. These forces are holding the line with resilience, and the Russians will likely have to expend significant time and effort to break through this critical defensive position.

Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29, Photo: Espreso

Zmiy-500: Ukraine’s unique ground robotic complex for demining

Borys Drozhak, co-founder of Rovertech, software engineer, and artificial intelligence expert, explained that their team initially developed a lightweight ground-based robotic system for demining. However, as weather conditions changed and the light drones became ineffective on certain terrains, the military, particularly the 3rd Air Assault Brigade, requested a larger, more versatile system.

Weather was not the only factor behind the creation of the Zmiy-500 UAV. Drozhak noted that after demining, the ground often becomes uneven, making it difficult for ground systems to move further. As a result, lightweight ground-based demining systems were modified to navigate not only flat terrain but also areas with natural obstacles. Drozhak also highlighted that the Zmiy-500 drone is equipped with metal wheels, a highly effective feature for dealing with light “petal” mines.

Borys Drozhak pointed out that Ukraine's army lacked small robotic ground systems capable of performing tasks like demining. In the past, it was assumed that only heavy tracked armored vehicles could navigate any terrain. However, Drozhak emphasized that this does not mean that smaller ground systems need to have tracks. For this reason, the Zmiy-500 uses wheels to move.

Drozhak explained that demining is a complex and often invisible process to the public. While various ground-based demining systems can be effective, they also have certain drawbacks. For example, large drones are limited by their size and cannot travel faster than 2 km/h when using a trawl. Additionally, larger ground-based complexes require transportation, which increases costs and staffing needs. The larger the machine, the more energy it requires for heating, the more frequent filter changes are needed, and its handling becomes more challenging.

In the case of the Zmiy-500 complex, the situation is changing. The complex is small, easily transported, uses a small amount of gasoline and has a lighter control system. While a large ground-based complex clears a lane and then has to return to the same lane, the Zmiy-500 simply turns around and clears a new lane on its way back. If all these points are taken into account, the results will be similar to those of large demining machines. There is one difference: it is 40-80 times cheaper. Borys Drozhak added that the record for demining using a combination of means, including the Zmiy-500 ground complex, is 10 hectares per day. This record was set in Ukraine.

Rovertech to produce over 1,000 Zmiy-500 complexes in 2025

If the Zmiy-500 ground complex is used for mechanical demining, it can clear over 0.7 hectares per day. If everything is in place and the team operates efficiently, the daily clearance rate can exceed 2 hectares.

Borys Drozhak also provided details on the cost of the Zmiy-500 ground system. He explained that due to its small size, the cost of parts to complete the drone is low. This also affects the production itself, as the drone does not require a large floor space. Drozhak also emphasized that most of the components of the complex are made in Ukraine. The company does not make a markup on products intended for the Ukrainian military. The systems are also sold for the needs of humanitarian demining. Drozhak added that the markup for foreign sales of their products can be as high as 100%, but the company makes a markup of less than 25%. He argued that while production is still local, the products are also coded in Ukraine, and this makes the work easier.

Borys Drozhak said that the Zmiy-500 ground system can withstand multiple explosions of anti-personnel mines. As for anti-tank mines, the complex can withstand the explosion of this munition. After an anti-tank mine explosion, there are two scenarios. The most positive case is when 6 chains fly off the complex, and those are the ones on which the mine detonated. The worst case is when the shaft of the complex comes off after the mine explosion. In the two cases, the only difference is the price. After the repair, the system will perform its task again. So, in fact, there have been no cases of complete failure of the complexes due to a mine explosion. Summarizing, Borys Drozhak added that the company plans to start production of 1,000 units in 2025.