President Trump has set new deadlines for progress in Russia’s Ukraine peace
President Donald Trump has cut the deadline for the Russian Ukraine peace from the 50th to the 10th, saying he is “disappointed” with the Russian president.
July 31 (Reuters) – Russia on Thursday said it had captured the town of Chashivyar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting, opening up the possibility of further progress.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a brief statement that its forces “liberated” the town.
Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky dismissed the claim as “disinformation.” A spokesman for the Ukrainian military called it “propaganda.”
However, a video posted by Russian military forces and verified by Reuters showed the flag of Russia’s sky tro section and the national flag being raised by soldiers in the ruined ruins of the town.
Russia is slowly moving forward in eastern Ukraine. Talks to end the 3-1/2 year war are making progress towards a ceasefire, urging President Donald Trump to threaten new sanctions on Russia and its exports from next week.
Moscow’s troops are also putting strong pressure on Pokrovsk city, 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Chashiv Yah.
Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, co-founder of Finland-based Blackbird Group, said the fight is likely to continue near Chasib Yar.
“Chashiv Yar’s terrain supports defenders. The stock of forested areas, waterways, hills and various buildings has allowed Ukraine to carry out a defensive operation that lasts for over a year.
Gradual advance
Kastehelmi said that if a town fall is confirmed, it is likely that Russia will create conditions for further advancement in eastern Ukraine, but still only gradually.
“Nevertheless, it is a challenging situation for Ukraine when the Russians fell to the enemy as they approach Kostiantinibka, who is now approaching from several directions,” he said.
“Logistics in the region will also be affected as Russians can bring their drone teams closer.”
Zelenskiy said at his nightly video address that Ukrainian units around Chasiv Yar “protect our position.
Zelensky said the most intensive battle was still close to Pokrovsk, citing a report from top Ukraine commander Oleksandr Silsky. He said Ukrainian forces are repelling Russian sabotages and scouts.
Deepstate, a popular Ukrainian blog that uses open source materials to track the movement of Russian military forces, also denied that Moscow’s troops dominate Chasiv Yar.
The Battle of Chasiv Yar began last April when Russian air troops reached the eastern edge. Russian state media reported that Russian soldiers began challenging their Ukrainian counterparts in the town to demand surrender or be wiped out by air-guided bombs.
The town, currently being destroyed, had a prewar population of over 12,000 people, and its economy was based on factories that produced reinforced concrete products and clay used in bricks.
It is just west of Bahmut, and Russia captured it in 2023 after one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
(Additional reporting by Moscow Reuters and Kiev’s Anastasia Malenko, edited by Andrew Haven, Ron Popesky and Stephen Coates)
