If Russian forces capture besieged Chasiv Yar, it will enable them to launch offensives against other cities of Donetsk Oblast, the Khortytsia Group of Forces' spokesperson, Nazar Voloshyn, told Politico in a comment published on April 16.
Russia ramped up its offensive on Chasiv Yar after capturing Avdiivka, which lies about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southward, and its tempo of advance declined in early March. About 800 people remain in Chasiv Yar, according to local authorities.
"If the Russian occupiers manage to capture this city, they will have the opportunity to launch an offensive on Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk," Voloshyn told Politico.
"These cities are the last stronghold of Donetsk region, which is under the control of Ukraine."
Voloshyn went on to explain that Chasiv Yar is the "dominant height in the region, and its control will allow the Russian invaders" to push forward to other cities of Donetsk Oblast.
According to the spokesperson, the Kremlin wants to see Chasiv Yar captured before May 9 – the day when Russia celebrates victory in World War II – for propaganda purposes.
On April 5, Moscow's proxies claimed that Russian troops had entered Chasiv Yar's suburb, but Ukraine's military later refuted that statement.
Asami Terajima
