The city of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine has been devastated by months of relentless Russian artillery pounding, as shown in new drone footage obtained by The Associated Press. The strategic city, which was once home to a population of 12,000, now lies in ruins, with barely a building left intact and the town nearly deserted. The destruction in Chasiv Yar is reminiscent of other cities in Ukraine that fell to Russian forces after months of bombardment, including Bakhmut and Avdiivka. The capture of Chasiv Yar would give Russia control of a key hilltop from which they could launch attacks on other cities in Ukraine’s eastern defenses, potentially setting the stage for a broader offensive.
The footage shows rows of mid-rise apartment blocks in Chasiv Yar that have been blackened by blasts, punched through with holes, or reduced to rubble. Houses, civic buildings, and even a church appear heavily damaged. The only sign of life in the city is a lone man walking down a road between wrecked structures. According to regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin, only 682 residents remain in Chasiv Yar, living in difficult conditions without access to water or power for over a year. Humanitarian aid to reach them has become increasingly challenging due to the destruction caused by the ongoing conflict.
The destruction in Chasiv Yar underscores Russia’s scorched-earth tactics throughout the years-long conflict in Ukraine, during which thousands of civilians have been killed and displaced. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged the delayed delivery of allies’ military aid to Ukraine had left the country vulnerable to Russia’s better-equipped forces. Ukraine and its Western partners are rushing to deploy critical military aid to help check the Russian advance, including support against drone and missile attacks. The slow but steady Russian advance has resulted in civilian casualties, including two deaths and multiple injuries from Russian aerial guided bombs in a village in the northeastern Kharkiv region, as well as injuries in the southern city of Odesa after a Russian ballistic missile strike.
In the northeastern Kharkiv region, two civilians were killed and at least nine others were wounded in a Russian airstrike, including an 11-year-old boy. In the southern port city of Odesa, at least 13 people were injured after a Russian ballistic missile hit the city, causing a major fire. Odesa has been a repeated target for Russian attacks, with eight civilians killed in the past two days alone. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to take a devastating toll on civilians and infrastructure, with cities like Chasiv Yar facing near-total destruction as Russian forces advance on key strategic positions. Urgent support and aid are needed to help protect Ukraine and its people from further devastation.
