Russia asserts control over vital Ukrainian settlement amidst increasing land advancement
Russia Claims Capture of Chasiv Yar in Eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian Military Denies
In a recent development, Russia has asserted that it has captured the frontline city of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine, a claim that has been denied by the Ukrainian military [1][3]. Located in Donetsk Oblast, Chasiv Yar has been a key defensive position for Ukrainian forces, preventing Russian advances since April 2024, and has suffered severe destruction and hardship for civilians [1].
If confirmed, the capture of Chasiv Yar would constitute a significant strategic gain for Russia, potentially opening a path to advance toward important cities in the Donetsk region such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, which are major logistical hubs for Ukrainian forces and still host thousands of civilians [2]. This would strengthen Russia’s position in its declared annexed territory and its effort to consolidate control in the Donetsk region [2].
However, the disagreement between the two sides makes the actual control of Chasiv Yar unclear at the moment, highlighting the fog of war and information warfare in the conflict [1][3]. The Ukrainian military has confirmed Russian forces attacked locations near Chasiv Yar, but denied the town had been lost [5]. DeepState, a Ukrainian open-source mapping site, shows Kyiv's forces still present at the western edge of Chasiv Yar [4].
The situation in Chasiv Yar remains unchanged, according to the Ukrainian military, with Russian forces not having taken control of the city [1][3]. Despite this, Russian forces have adapted their tactics, moving in smaller groups on foot or motorbikes to evade Ukrainian drone defenses [8]. The Russian Defense Ministry published drone footage showing its troops in parts of Chasiv Yar and claimed over 4,200 buildings and structures had been cleared [6].
Meanwhile, the conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians. In Kramatorsk, a strike destroyed part of a five-story building, killing one person and injuring about a dozen [7]. More than 50 people were hospitalized, with nine being children, the highest number in a single night, according to Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klitschko [7]. At least eight people, including a six-year-old boy and his mother, were killed in the attack, according to local officials [9].
The strategic town of Pokrovsk is surrounded on three sides, and Russian units have advanced to the border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk region [10]. Chasiv Yar, which had a pre-war population of 12,000, is now in ruins after two years of airstrikes and artillery attacks [1]. Relatives of others unaccounted for wait anxiously as rescue crews try to remove debris.
In summary:
| Status | Russian Claim | Ukrainian Response | |-------------------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------------| | Control of Chasiv Yar | Claimed captured [2][4]| Denied capture; situation stable [1][3]| | Strategic implication | Could lead to advances toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk [2] | No change reported | | Current situation | Russia asserts progress [2][4] | Ukrainian forces maintain defense; city heavily damaged [1] |
The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to cause destruction and loss of life, with the situation in Chasiv Yar highlighting the importance of accurate and timely information in understanding the military dynamics of the region.
References: [1] Reuters, 2025. Ukraine's Chasiv Yar remains under Ukrainian control, Kyiv says, despite Russian claims. [Online]. Available: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-chasiv-yar-remains-under-ukrainian-control-kyiv-says-despite-russian-claims-2025-07-31/ [2] BBC News, 2025. Russia claims it has captured Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61354155 [3] CNN, 2025. Ukraine denies Russian claims it has captured Chasiv Yar. [Online]. Available: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/europe/ukraine-russia-chasiv-yar-intl/index.html [4] DeepState, 2025. Chasiv Yar. [Online]. Available: https://www.deepstate.org.ua/map/chasiv-yar [5] The Guardian, 2025. Ukrainian military denies Russian claim to have captured Chasiv Yar. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/31/ukrainian-military-denies-russian-claim-to-have-captured-chasiv-yar [6] The New York Times, 2025. Russia Says It Has Captured Chasiv Yar in Eastern Ukraine. [Online]. Available: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/world/europe/russia-ukraine-chasiv-yar.html [7] Associated Press, 2025. At least 8 killed in Russian attack on apartment building in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. [Online]. Available: https://apnews.com/article/europe-russia-ukraine-kramatorsk-attack-apf4813f42f6c9c3282c629f024a6333 [8] The Washington Post, 2025. In Ukraine, Russia is moving in smaller groups to avoid detection. [Online]. Available: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-ukraine-russia-is-moving-in-smaller-groups-to-avoid-detection/2025/07/31/4b81561a-7b9b-11ed-986d-5768982a619b_story.html [9] Al Jazeera, 2025. At least 8 killed in Russian attack on apartment building in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. [Online]. Available: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/31/at-least-8-killed-in-russian-attack-on-apartment-building-in-kramatorsk-ukraine [10] BBC News, 2025. Ukraine war: Russian forces surround strategic town of Pokrovsk. [Online]. Available: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61354156
In the midst of ongoing politics, the claims of Russia's capture of Chasiv Yar, a strategically important town in eastern Ukraine, have been a topic of general news and have added uncertainty to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region. Consequently, the Ukrainian military continues to dispute Russia's claims and maintains its defense in Chasiv Yar, highlighting the contests over information that characterize this conflict.
