Russia claims capture of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces have taken control of the city of Chasiv Yar in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

At the same time, a map published by DeepState, a Ukrainian OSINT project with close ties to the country’s Defense Ministry, still marks parts of southern and western Chasiv Yar as areas not under Russian control.

Update: A Ukrainian Armed Forces spokesperson denied that Russian troops have captured the city of Chasiv Yar. “The situation in Chasiv Yar remains the same as in recent months,” Ukrainian military spokesman Viktor Trehubov told RBC-Ukraine. “The Russians are simply lying again — just to get the claim circulating, even if only through denials.”

The battle for Chasiv Yar has been ongoing for more than a year. In January, Russian forces captured the site of the city’s Refractory Plant, a key Ukrainian stronghold, and began pushing toward the city center.

Chasiv Yar is located about 70 kilometers (43 miles) north of Donetsk and roughly 15 kilometers (nine miles) from the city of Kostiantynivka — another target of Russia’s advance that may soon be at risk of a three-pronged attack.