Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrsky stated that the Russian military leadership set the task of taking Chasiv Yar by May 9.
According to him, the Russian Federation is concentrating efforts to break through the defense west of Bakhmut in order to reach the Seversky Donets-Donbas canal and capture Chasiv Yar.
According to him, the Russian infantry managed to reach the “Novyi” neighborhood (eastern part of the city), however, as the commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine states, “they were destroyed by drone and artillery strikes by the Ukrainian military.”.
Syrsky also reported that the brigades stationed in this direction have been reinforced with additional ammunition, drones, and electronic warfare equipment.
Recall that, according to Russian military publications, the Russian army has established itself on the outskirts of Chasiv Yar and is already fighting directly in it. However, the Russians have not stated that they are tasked with taking the city by May 9.
In any case, it is unlikely that the well-fortified city will be captured by this date. Only if the Ukrainian troops retreat from it themselves, which also does not look realistic, since Chasiv Yar is the center of defense for the entire northern Donetsk region.
Another issue is that the overall military situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this direction is difficult. The Russians are attacking and, if they can gain a foothold in the eastern part of the city, they will gradually begin to advance further, capturing block by block. But, judging by the pace of the Russian advance in other settlements (Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka), it will take them months, not weeks, to do this.
In addition, there is a point of view that the Russian Federation does not intend to develop an offensive in the north of Donbas (which is a very difficult task, requiring the allocation of large forces), but aims to gain a foothold and take up defense on the eastern bank of the Seversky Donets - Donbas canal. And the main blows of the spring-summer campaign will be delivered in other directions.
