Russia claims control of part of Chasov Yar stronghold

The Russian Defense Ministry said on July 3 that its forces attacked the positions of eight Ukrainian brigades near Chasov Yar and neighboring areas, repelling four counterattacks by the 46th Air Mobility Brigade, the 79th Air Assault Brigade and the 214th Opfor Battalion.

"The enemy lost 450 soldiers, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, including an American-made M113, and 10 pickup trucks," the agency said. "Russian forces counter-fired and destroyed a 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled gun, a 2S1 Gvozdika gun, an Msta-B howitzer, three D-20 guns, an American-made M119 gun, two Anklav-N electronic warfare stations and an AN/TPQ-48 counter-battery radar."

Ivan Petechak, press officer of the 24th Mechanized Brigade defending Chasov Yar, admitted that their situation in the city is "extremely difficult" and that battles are taking place along the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal.

"The enemy has not reduced the frequency of shelling," Petrechak said. "The situation is tense, but we are holding our positions."

According to Petechak, Russian forces used a familiar tactic to attack Chasov Yar, in which they moved troops into areas with tree cover and then split into small groups to attack the Ukrainian defenses. "Russian assault groups were supported by artillery and drones," Petechak said.

After storming and taking control of the Bakhmut stronghold last year, Russian units have slowly advanced to Chasov Yar. In other areas, Russian forces have made slow but steady progress this year, taking control of more residential areas.

Chasov Yar is higher than the surrounding area, making the city a major logistics center and forward artillery base for Ukraine. The Ukrainian army may have deployed at least five brigades to defend the city.

If Chasov Yar is controlled, the Russian army can bring nearby strategic cities within artillery range and turn it into a fulcrum for launching deeper attacks.

The Ukrainian strongholds near Chasov Yar include Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Druzhkovka and Konstantinovka, with Kramatorsk being the last major city they control in Donetsk Oblast and Konstantinovka being described as the "backbone of the Ukrainian defense line".