Russian push towards a new key city in the east of the country

The Russian army is advancing towards the town of Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region.

Russian forces intensified their operations on Friday April 5 towards the town of Chassiv Yar, a key locality for advancing in the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine, already partially occupied.

For a week, “the situation is heating up”recognized the head of the military administration of Chassiv Yar on Friday, stressing that the city was under “the constant fire” Russian soldiers. “The city has become even more dangerous. If before there were moments of silence, now there are none”he told AFP.

A village taken near Avdiïvka

The Russian army also claimed Friday the capture of the village of Vodyane, in the Donetsk region but further south, very close to the town of Avdiïvka conquered in February.

Ukraine, facing a Russian offensive for more than two years, has promised to bring the fighting to Russian soil in retaliation for the numerous deadly bombings on its territory. Moscow said on Friday that its recent massive strikes on Ukraine were a “answer” to Ukrainian attacks against “facilities in the oil, gas and energy sectors” in Russia.

The Russians have recently stepped up strikes on energy targets, causing several casualties and causing major power outages. At least three people were killed and thirteen others were injured in a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhia, a large city in southern Ukraine, the regional governor announced.