Chasiv Yar

Chasiv Yar is situated around 10 kilometers (six miles) west of Bakhmut, captured by Russia in May 2023.

Russia ramped up its offensive on Chasiv Yar in February 2024 after capturing Avdiivka, which lies about 50 kilometers (31 miles) to the south. 

The Ukrainian military said on April 22 that Russia is deploying as many as 25,000 troops to take the town, which it sees as a crucial step for further advances toward Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.

These cities are considered the last strongholds of Ukrainian control over Donetsk Oblast.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia will attempt to capture Chasiv Yar by May 9, which Russia celebrates as "Victory Day," a militaristic public holiday marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.