Russia announced on Sunday that its forces had made progress towards the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine and had taken control of the settlement of Bohdanivka. Meanwhile, Kyiv expressed an urgent need for the promised U.S. support to defend against a potential full-scale offensive.
The Russian defense ministry stated on the Telegram messaging app, “Units of the Southern grouping group of forces have fully liberated the settlement of Bohdanivka…and have improved the situation along the front line.”
Bohdanivka, located west of the Russian-held city of Bakhmut, has been a contested area for some time. The village is just 5 kilometers east of Chasiv Yar, a key hilltop town and forward artillery base for the Ukrainian army.
While the Russian report cannot be independently verified, Ukraine has not commented on the situation in Bohdanivka. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces mentioned Bohdanivka in its daily report, noting that Ukrainian forces repelled 13 enemy attacks in the area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the situation with army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in a video address. Zelenskyy also urged the U.S. to expedite the approval of $60 billion in aid for Ukraine and proceed with the transfer of weapons ahead of a potential Russian offensive.
Zelenskyy reiterated warnings of a possible Russian offensive on Chasiv Yar by May 9, a significant public holiday in Russia marking Victory Day in World War II. Ukraine anticipates a broad offensive from Russia in the spring and summer following the capture of Avdiivka during the winter.
Despite conflicting reports, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry denied claims that Russia had taken full control of Bohdanivka, although they did acknowledge some losses in the eastern Donetsk region.