The Russian army has set itself aim to capture the city of Chasov Yar by May 9, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA, referring to yesterday's statement by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - Colonel-General Oleksandr Sirsky.
The agency adds that the senior Ukrainian military chief has given primary importance to the fighting in the eastern part of Ukraine, where Moscow is intensifying its attacks.
Reuters notes that a possible capture of the settlement west of the devastated city of Bakhmut for the Soviet Victory Day in World War II would be of strategic importance to the morale of the Russian army, even more so given the delay in military aid to Kiev from the West.
According to Sirsky, who late last week warned that the situation on the eastern front was getting worse, Russia is concentrating its efforts west of occupied Bakhmut in an attempt to capture Chasov Yar before continuing its advance towards the city of Kramatorsk.
Chasov Yar is located ten kilometers from Bakhmut in the Donetsk region, Reuters specifies. Kyiv units are repelling the Russian assault near the city for now, having been equipped with new ammunition, drones and electronic warfare, Sirsky said in a statement on the Telegram app.
"The threat still remains significant, given the fact that the Russian high command has set its military personnel May 9 as the deadline for the capture of Chasov Yar," Sirsky said, without elaborating.
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Reuters points out that Russia has carried out three massive airstrikes against Ukrainian power plants and substations in recent weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last night in his traditional video address to the nation that "the situation at the front during such a fierce war is always difficult.
"These days, however - especially on the Donetsk front - the situation is getting even worse," the head of state said. The Ukrainian leader warned that the Kremlin may be preparing a large-scale offensive for the end of spring or summer this year, according to Reuters.