Russian operation to seize Chasiv Yar offers most immediate prospects for significant advances
ISW analysts’ opinion

WORLD  26 April 2024 - 15:43

Russian offensive operations west of Avdiivka aim to exploit opportunities for tactical gains while the Russian offensive operation to seize Chasiv Yar offers Russian forces the most immediate prospects for operationally significant advances. 

Russian forces in the Avdiivka area remain roughly 30 kilometres from their reported operational objective of Pokrovsk and roughly 17 kilometres from relatively large villages east of Pokrovsk, Caliber.Az reports citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Russian pressure on Chasiv Yar is more significant. Russian forces currently on the eastern outskirts of Chasiv Yar have been intensifying efforts to seize the city since March 2024. Russian forces do pose a credible threat of seizing Chasiv Yar, although they may not be able to do so rapidly.

The offensive effort to seize Chasiv Yar offers Russian forces the most immediate prospects for operationally significant advances as the seizure of the town would likely allow Russian forces to launch subsequent offensive operations against cities that form a significant Ukrainian defensive belt in Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces are likely attempting to seize as much territory as possible before the arrival of US security assistance significantly improves Ukrainian defensive capabilities in the coming weeks, and the Russian military command may be intensifying offensive operations northwest of Avdiivka because the area provides greater opportunities for making more rapid tactical gains despite the relative operational insignificance of those gains.

Caliber.Az