Elimination of Russian general, details of fighting for Chasiv Yar. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in Russia

On April 25, another Russian general was eliminated in the town of Balashikha, near Moscow. The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the death of Yaroslav Moskalyk, Deputy Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff. According to investigators, a homemade explosive device, with the equivalent of 300 grams of TNT, was planted in a car parked near the entrance. When the target, General Moskalik, walked past the car, it exploded. 

Moskalik was involved in planning Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and continued to plan military operations until his death, as he was responsible for strategic and operational planning in the Russian armed forces. Given their role in planning and executing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, officials in the Russian Ministry of Defense are legitimate targets.

This operation is very similar to the one carried out on December 17, 2024, when General Igor Kirilov was eliminated. At that time, an explosive device was planted in an electric scooter, which was also parked near the entrance to the general's residence. In both cases, it is clear that these are meticulously planned operations with no additional casualties among the Russian population. This story is ultimately about the inevitability of punishment for Russian crimes.

Situation at the front: Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk sector the most

The highest number of clashes over the past week has been recorded in the Pokrovsk direction, where numerous attacks are taking place, but there is no Russian advance. The situation around Toretsk is also more challenging, with the Russians carrying out offensive actions from various flanks. It can be concluded that the enemy is focusing its efforts around Kostiantynivka, trying to advance from different directions. These plans must be disrupted by Ukrainian Defense Forces. One area where the Russian troops are attempting to pressure Ukrainian defense is Chasiv Yar, where active fighting has been ongoing for over a year.

The defense of Chasiv Yar has been going on for over a year now

Ivan Petrychak, a spokesman for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo, said that the Russian media have repeatedly claimed that the occupiers have completely captured Chasiv Yar, but the reality is quite different. 

The Russian forces fail to capture Chasiv Yar. Units of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo continue to hold back the enemy in this area. Petrychak emphasized that the defense of Chasiv Yar is ongoing, and fighting continues in the urban area. “These battles are difficult, the Russian forces are putting pressure. They have a sufficient number of artillery pieces and are constantly shelling Ukrainian positions. They also continue to use the tactic of attacking with infantry groups together with equipment. In particular, when the weather allows, and it is foggy or raining, they try to drive in a large number of vehicles to move their infantry closer to the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. When the weather is sunny, the Russians send their infantry to attack on foot. Petrychak added that Chasiv Yar is completely destroyed today. The Russians continue to strike with UAVs and fiber-optic drones.

Ivan Petrychak said that street battles over the Chasiv Yar urban area remain the most difficult. There are many cases when one part of the house is controlled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the other by the occupiers. And often the Russians themselves attack these houses, knowing that their own military are in the basements or elsewhere. Petrychak also emphasized that movement in the city is difficult for both the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the occupiers. All the work at the front continues to increase the number of air strikes and, accordingly, the distance of destruction. The situation is difficult, but the defense of Chasiv Yar has been going on for over a year and will continue.

The occupying Russian forces are constantly replenishing their units due to heavy losses

Ivan Petrychak said that the occupiers' 98th division is facing them in Chasiv Yar. The occupiers are constantly replenishing this division due to heavy losses. The Russian forces do not have any problems with mobilization and are constantly replenishing the Russian occupation army. According to Petrychak, captured Russians often report that they have been in the combat zone for only one day. Nowadays, it is very rare to find experienced soldiers in the ranks of the enemy army. The Russians are trying to mobilize as many people as possible and immediately send them to the front. Mobilized Russians who are captured do not even understand where they are going and what awaits them.

Drone war: all the focus at the front is on advancing unmanned systems

Ivan Petrychak said that the development of unmanned systems units in the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo continues. Recruitment of new recruits for the recently formed unmanned systems battalion is underway. Petrychak also emphasized that each unit of the brigade has unmanned systems. They work independently. Today, the entire focus at the front is on increasing the number of unmanned systems and their operators. The brigade also pays great attention to the development of ground robotic systems.

Ivan Petrychak also spoke about methods of defense against  Russian drones. Today, the most effective means of defense against fiber-optic drones is netting. Petrychak added that drones cause the biggest losses for Russians. Therefore, they began to massively redesign their equipment and often make cars and other equipment to look like a convertible. When moving, an individual shooter tries to shoot down our drones with small arms. The occupiers are already using this method on the front line on a large scale. Ivan Petrychak said that one of the most effective ways to shoot down enemy drones is a pump-action rifle. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also have means of early detection of approaching drones. However, such means are not effective against fiber-optic drones because they cannot detect them.

The aftermath of the explosion at the 51st Arsenal of the Russian MoD's GRAU ammunition depot

On April 25, satellite images of the location of the ammunition depot of the 51st Arsenal of the Russian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate have been released. They are not clear enough, but we can conclude that at least half of the storage facilities have been severely damaged by the explosions. 

In fact, not only half of the storage facilities were destroyed, but also the railroad and access roads that ensured the transfer of ammunition to this arsenal. It is worth recalling that this arsenal exploded, but the reasons remain unknown. This is one of the largest arsenals of the Russian army. The media reported that the Russians stored more than 106,000 tons of ammunition there, but this data is outdated, as it dates back to the pre-war period. The figure may be more than 245,000 tons.