Almost impossible to capture Chasiv Yar: Ukrainian officer on problems of Russian army in Bakhmut sector

This was reported by the commander of the reconnaissance platoon of the Rubizh brigade, Ukrainian officer Maksym Matviychuk on the Espreso TV channel.

"At the moment, the enemy is gathering additional reserves, pulling up the maximum number of forces, which is not much at the moment. The Russian army is trying to take Chasiv Yar with all its might, bypassing it from the flanks. But today, Russian occupiers have two problems in this area. One of them is the Siverskyi Donets, a man-made river that makes it impossible for enemy equipment to move. For us, this is, for example, a ready-made defense line that will cost the enemy a lot of effort to break through. Even if the Russians succeed, all they will be able to do is create a small bridgehead. The Ukrainian defense forces will be able to pull it back easily," the NGU officer said.

Chasiv Yar is a height, which is very difficult to take by itself. The Russian army understands this, and therefore will probably try to pass through the flanks, Matviychuk added.

“Russian enemy understands that it will be almost impossible to take the settlement itself. That is why it is now trying to destroy it and all settlements around by aviation, artillery, rocket artillery," he added.

• Over the past day, 104 combat engagements took place between the two armies. Ukrainian soldiers repelled Russian attacks in 7 directions and neutralized 1,040 Russian soldiers.
• Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made statements about the war in Ukraine and said that the Russian offensive near Chasiv Yar, Avdiivka and Donetsk had allegedly intensified.