Russia Claims Capture of Key District in Chasiv Yar Amid Ongoing Airstrikes
-
Loading... - Rike Arend
- 04 Jul 2024
- 49 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Russia announced on Wednesday that its forces had seized a district in the strategically important hilltop town of Chasiv Yar near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. This development follows intense fighting in the region over recent months. Concurrently, Kyiv reported that Russian airstrikes on the industrial city of Dnipro had resulted in the deaths of five people and injured nearly three dozen others, including a 14-year-old girl.
The Russian defense ministry stated that its troops had "liberated" the Novy district of Chasiv Yar. However, it was unclear whether Russian forces had crossed the canal that runs through the eastern part of the town. The capture of Chasiv Yar, which previously housed around 12,000 residents, could facilitate Russian advances towards the remaining Ukrainian-controlled civilian centers in the Donetsk region.
The DeepState military blog, which has connections to the Ukrainian army, also reported the capture, noting that the area had been devastated by Russian bombardments and that the withdrawal was "a logical, albeit difficult decision." Ukrainian officials in Kyiv have not yet responded to the claims.
U.S. Announces New Aid Package
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $150 million aid package authorized by President Biden. This package includes missiles for air defense systems, artillery rounds, mortars, anti-tank missiles, and various other weapons and equipment. This marks the seventh package authorized since a significant international aid bill was signed at the end of April. Blinken emphasized that these supplies would "help strengthen Ukraine's air defenses against Russian attacks and reinforce Ukraine's capabilities across the front lines." Although no specific timeline was provided, Blinken assured that the U.S. would expedite the delivery of this new assistance to bolster Ukraine's defense.
Ukraine's Call for Enhanced Air Defenses
The announcement of the aid package followed a Russian attack on Dnipro, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reiterate his call for more robust air defenses and long-range weapons from Western partners to counter Russian strikes. Zelenskyy confirmed on social media that the attack resulted in five fatalities and 34 injuries, including a child.
Russian forces have consistently targeted Dnipro and its surrounding region since the commencement of their full-scale invasion two and a half years ago. This latest escalation underscores the ongoing intensity and destruction of the conflict, highlighting the urgent need for international support and intervention to protect Ukrainian territory and civilians.
