Putin wants to conquer Ceasiv Iar at any cost. More than 20,000 Russian soldiers are trying to storm the town in eastern Ukraine

Russian forces are trying to make “tactical gains” northwest of Avdiivka, but the main offensive operation is still in the direction of Ceasiv Iar, military analysts from the Institute for the Study of War claim, according to The Kyiv Independent.

Ceasiv Iar is located in the Donetsk region, about 10 kilometers west of Bakhmut and 50 kilometers north of Avdiivka, cities captured by Russia in May 2023 and February 2024, respectively.

Russian forces have concentrated their efforts near Cheasiv Yar, which they see as crucial for further advances towards the nearby towns of Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, according to the Ukrainian military.

ISW argues that while it is possible for Russian forces to make some gains northwest of Avdiivka, an offensive in the area is “unlikely to develop into an operationally significant penetration, let alone cause the collapse Ukrainian defenses west of Avdiivka”.

The operation to capture the city of Ceasiv Iar has the greatest short-term potential to be an operational victory for Russian forces, ISW added.

The capture of Ceasiv Iar would represent an opportunity for Russia to “launch further offensive operations against cities that form a significant Ukrainian defensive belt in the Donetsk region,” military analysts say.

Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia Forces Group, said on April 22 that between 20,000 and 25,000 Russian soldiers are trying to storm Ceasiv Iar and surrounding settlements.

Your cookie settings do not allow the content of this section to be displayed. You can update cookie module settings directly from your browser or from here – you need to accept social media cookies

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in early April that Russia was trying to capture Ceasiv And by Victory Day on May 9, a heavily militarized holiday in Russia marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

Russia is likely trying to grab as much territory as possible before the impact of US military aid is felt on the battlefield, which is likely to happen in the next few weeks.

Despite the infusion of much-needed aid, anonymous U.S. officials told Politico that the package may not be enough for Ukraine to regain all of its territory. Aid also does not solve Ukraine’s other problems such as the need for soldiers or the need to improve the capacity of its military industry.

Editor: Robert Kiss