On the Chasov Yar direction, as long as Ukrainian forces hold the heights, it will be very difficult to discuss any significant successes of the Russian occupiers.
Military expert and retired Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Sergey Grabskiy, shared in an interview with Politeka Online that the enemy's plans to cut off the communications of the Toretsk grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and force them to retreat are quite questionable.
"Experience in combat operations shows that by concentrating main efforts on the Kurakhove direction, the Chasov Yar and Toretsk directions are currently considered relatively secondary for them. Relatively secondary doesn’t mean that forces and resources are being directed there as an afterthought, but overall, the main efforts are now focused on the Kurakhove direction," – stated Sergey Grabskiy.
According to the military expert, there are several factors at play: distance, specific terrain, and highly urbanized areas, meaning the necessity to conduct combat operations in densely built-up urban environments – all of this forces the enemy to slow down their pace and use their resources judiciously.
"Therefore, regarding Chasov Yar, one can not only remain calm for now but also keep an eye on it while focusing their main attention on the Kurakhove direction," – added Sergey Grabskiy.