In Chasiv Yar, located a few kilometers west of Bakhmut, few buildings remain unscarred by war, while weary residents lining up for food and humanitarian aid do not flinch at the sound of artillery exploding nearby.
Chasiv Yar, Bakhmut's Beleaguered Neighbor, Also Under Bombardment
- By RFE/RL
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Ukrainian soldiers walk down a street in Chasiv Yar after returning from fighting Russian forces in Bakhmut on April 11.
As the bloody battle for the destroyed Donbas city of Bakhmut rages, Chasiv Yar, a small city located on a hill a few kilometers to the west, has become critical to its continued defense.
As the bloody battle for the destroyed Donbas city of Bakhmut rages, Chasiv Yar, a small city located on a hill a few kilometers to the west, has become critical to its continued defense.
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The remains of a statue of Russian writer Maksim Gorky in Chasiv Yar.
The city serves as a vital lifeline for the supply of troops and materiel into Bakhmut, where the bloodiest infantry fighting since World War II continues unabated.
The city serves as a vital lifeline for the supply of troops and materiel into Bakhmut, where the bloodiest infantry fighting since World War II continues unabated.
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Most of Chasiv Yar's residents have evacuated, but almost 1,500 remain. They are primarily the elderly, the poor, and the infirm. Most spend their days hiding in their basements from stray bullets and artillery and only leave when they can receive humanitarian aid.
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Civilians in Chasiv Yar clean near an improvised fireplace during a lull in shelling. With no electricity and water, residents must make do with what they can.
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A sports trophy sits in a destroyed classroom in Chasiv Yar.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, claimed on April 11 that his men had seized more than 80 percent of Bakhmut.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of Russia's Wagner mercenary group, claimed on April 11 that his men had seized more than 80 percent of Bakhmut.
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Ukrainian soldiers drive through the shattered landscape of Chasiv Yar on their way toward the front line in Bakhmut on April 12.
Serhiy Cherevatyi, a spokesman for Ukraine's eastern military command, dismissed Prigozhin's claim, saying, "I was just in touch with the commander of one of the brigades holding the defense of the city. And I can confidently say that Ukrainian defensive forces control a considerably larger percent of Bakhmut's territory."
Serhiy Cherevatyi, a spokesman for Ukraine's eastern military command, dismissed Prigozhin's claim, saying, "I was just in touch with the commander of one of the brigades holding the defense of the city. And I can confidently say that Ukrainian defensive forces control a considerably larger percent of Bakhmut's territory."
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An elderly woman herds her goats in Chasiv Yar.
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A Ukrainian soldier flashes a victory sign in Chasiv Yar as he drives toward the front line in Bakhmut.
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A Ukrainian soldier rests in Bakhmut.
Taking control of the Bakhmut "meat grinder," where thousands of soldiers are estimated to have been killed on both sides, would not only be a largely symbolic win for Moscow but would also allow its forces to focus on the Ukrainian garrisons around Chasiv Yar.
Taking control of the Bakhmut "meat grinder," where thousands of soldiers are estimated to have been killed on both sides, would not only be a largely symbolic win for Moscow but would also allow its forces to focus on the Ukrainian garrisons around Chasiv Yar.
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A Ukrainian soldier near Bakhmut fires a self-propelled howitzer toward Russian positions.
Capturing Chasiv Yar would also open the way for Moscow's forces to advance toward two other cities in the Donetsk region -- Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.
Capturing Chasiv Yar would also open the way for Moscow's forces to advance toward two other cities in the Donetsk region -- Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.
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Ukrainian soldiers in Bakhmut give first aid to a wounded colleague.
Kyiv asserts that its defense of Bakhmut is necessary to inflict huge losses on the Russian invaders, but it admits that its own forces have paid a heavy price in manpower.
Kyiv asserts that its defense of Bakhmut is necessary to inflict huge losses on the Russian invaders, but it admits that its own forces have paid a heavy price in manpower.
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Ukrainian soldiers atop an armored personal carrier in Bakhmut.
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Ukrainian soldiers wait it out in a shelter in Bakhmut.
Kyiv says ammunition and weapons shortfalls are hindering its ability to launch a counteroffensive.
Kyiv says ammunition and weapons shortfalls are hindering its ability to launch a counteroffensive.
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A cross marks the grave of a resident killed by Russian shelling in Bakhmut.
