Ukrainian forces have made gains in the critical town of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast, using fresh reinforcements and newly supplied French armored vehicles to push Russian troops back. The latest success comes as Russian positions, weakened by relentless Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes, allowed defenders to establish fire superiority. The military breakthrough, reported by Euromaidan Press, strengthens Ukraine’s hold over one of its most strategically vital positions.
Chasiv Yar sits on a crucial elevation that overlooks Kostyantynivka, a key Ukrainian stronghold. The ability to control this high ground is vital for Ukraine’s broader defence strategy, as losing it would expose Kostyantynivka to direct Russian attacks. Ukrainian troops are therefore committed to holding Chasiv Yar for as long as possible, employing tactics designed to exhaust Russian resources and expose weak points in their lines.
One of Ukraine’s tactical advantages is superior logistics. Several well-paved roads link Chasiv Yar to Kostyantynivka, enabling steady supplies and reinforcements. Meanwhile, Russian troops struggle with supply routes due to a lack of direct fire control over these roads. This logistical advantage, combined with favourable weather conditions, has allowed Ukraine to launch effective drone swarm strikes deep into Russian positions, coordinating them with precision artillery fire.
In an attempt to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, Russian forces resorted to a crude defensive measure—deploying anti-drone nets along the road from Bakhmut to Chasiv Yar. These nets were meant to shield their supply convoys from Ukrainian FPV kamikaze drones. However, Ukrainian artillery systematically targeted sections of these nets, creating gaps through which drone operators could penetrate. With a false sense of security, Russian convoys continued using the road, only to be ambushed by Ukrainian drones slipping through the gaps. This tactic inflicted severe losses on Russian troops, equipment, and armored vehicles.
Russia’s difficulties in Chasiv Yar have been compounded by the arrival of new French VEB armored personnel carriers in Ukraine’s arsenal. These vehicles, supplied to the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, have significantly enhanced Ukraine’s battlefield mobility. Unlike Ukraine’s older BMPs and BTRs, which are slower and carry fewer troops, the VEBs provide twice the speed while maintaining the same level of protection. Each VEB can transport 10 fully equipped soldiers, compared to just seven in traditional Ukrainian armored vehicles. This increased capacity allows for rapid reinforcements and troop movements between Kostyantynivka and Chasiv Yar, ensuring defenders can quickly respond to shifting battle conditions.
The effectiveness of these new assets, combined with well-coordinated Ukrainian counterattacks, has significantly weakened Russian efforts to gain a foothold in Chasiv Yar. The Russian military, struggling with heavy losses, now faces even greater difficulties in sustaining pressure on Ukrainian defences. As the battle for Donetsk Oblast continues, Ukraine’s strategic planning and the integration of Western-supplied weaponry are proving to be critical in repelling Russian advances.
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