It is located only 15 kilometers from Bakhmut and plays an extremely important logistical role in the war on the eastern border. The city of Chasiv Yar is the “gateway” of entry and exit from “hell” for Ukrainian soldiers defending Bakhmut. Soldiers entering battle are the first to pass through here to learn from their comrades about the situation on the ground. Those who were lucky enough to return from the front also pass here, reports Agerpres in a report from the spot.

Through Chasiv Yar, the wounded in the city battles in Bakhmut, as well as soldiers who died in fierce battles with Russian enemies, are being evacuated.

In fact, a small town in eastern Ukraine is nothing more than a large military unit.

Quarters where more than 16,000 people once lived have turned into garrison dormitories, and parking lots where local residents’ cars were parked are now parking lots for tanks, armored personnel carriers, or other military equipment.

There are at least four access roads to the town of Chasiv Yar, but only one of them, which is in deplorable condition, is safe for Ukrainian military equipment, as it is harder to see and, by implication, harder for Russian forces to attack. , which is nearby.

Now only army vehicles travel in and out of the city, as all the civilian population has left the city.

“There are three more roads to Chasiv Yaru, but we are going only this one. The other three are visible from the territories occupied by the Russians, and any machine can be attacked,” one of the Ukrainian officers who coordinates the activities of Bakhmut’s troops told Agerpres.

At the end of this week, traffic to and from Chasivskyi Yar was more intensive, as combat battalions were rotating here. New units of soldiers were brought into the area to replace those who were already tired after three months of continuous fighting.

“I’m afraid, but over time we understand that no one but us can do it. We have no choice”

Among them was Mihai, a young Ukrainian military man from Transcarpathia. He is 38 years old, he left 1000 kilometers from home, to the west of Ukraine, to defend his country.

“I am from Transcarpathia, from the west of Ukraine. I was on the eastern border for a year and a month. Last time I was not in Bakhmut, I was in Slovyansk. I am in Bakhmut for the first time. It’s a lot more brutal than what we’ve seen before, but we’ll try to handle it. We are Ukrainians and we have to do it. To be honest, I’m afraid to tell you, but over time we realize that no one but us has to do it. We have no choice. You have to hold on and everything will be fine. I have two little girls at home, aged nine and seven. We communicate only through messages, once every three or four days. Sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to communicate for a week or two,” admitted Mihai, who will arrive in Bakhmut in a few days.

Photo: Christian Lupashku / AGEPRES PHOTO

Vasyl, a 32-year-old military man, arrived with him to Chasy Yaru, who understood why it was necessary to go and fight at Bakhmut.

“In my opinion, Bakhmut is strategic, but it is also political for our enemy. They often tried to occupy large cities, regional centers, regional centers and failed, and after the fall of Bakhmut, the way to Slavyansk and Kramatorsk was opened for them to fulfill the political mission of this little dwarf (Vladimir Putin – no). They want to take control of the entire territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The main mission is to stop the enemy’s advance and push him back. (…) Fighting in Bakhmut is a great pride. Everyone paid attention to Bakhmut, and it is extremely honorable when you and your unit defend this city,” Vasyl believes.

Dozens of people died last summer when the Russians bombarded the city of Chashiv Yar with Iskander missiles

Chasiv Yar appeared on the map of the former Soviet Union in 1938, when its industry began to develop. The city operated a refractories plant, as well as quarries for the production of refractory clays and foundry sand.

According to the 2001 census, the population of the city was 16,767 people.

On July 9, 2022, the railway station and two five-story buildings in the city were partially destroyed by the Russian military’s Iskander ballistic missiles, an attack by the Russians that resulted in approximately 30 deaths. Later, many targets in the city were hit by rockets.

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