According to the Ukrainian military, Russia has forces of 20,000-25,000 soldiers trying to attack the eastern Ukrainian city of Chasov Yar and surrounding villages. They describe the situation in the area as difficult, Reuters and BTA report.
Ukraine has full control of Chasov Yar, which sits on strategic high ground in the partially occupied Donetsk region, but Kiev's top commander said Russia wants to capture the city by May 9, when Soviet Victory Day is celebrated in World War II.
"The situation around the city is difficult, but controllable. Our defenders are receiving reinforcements and stabilizing the line," Nazar Voloshin, spokesman for the Eastern Command of the Ukrainian army, said on national television. "Somewhere around 20,000-25,000 Russian military personnel are trying to storm Chasov Yar and the outskirts of the settlements near it."
The capture of Chasov Yar will bring Russia closer to two strategically important cities under Ukrainian control, Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.
Russian troops have already moved forward, but long-delayed US military aid is expected to reach Ukraine, easing a critical ammunition shortage within days of its expected final approval this week, Reuters noted.
"It is difficult for our soldiers, but receiving the necessary help will level the situation," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Telegram.