MOSCOW

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Thursday its forces took control of the strategic city of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region

The ministry said in a statement the city went under Russia’s control as a result of offensive operations by the Southern group of forces in the Kramatorsk-Druzhkivka direction.”

Chasiv Yar is located about 10 km west of the city of Bakhmut in Ukraine, which the Russian Defense Ministry reported capturing in May 2023.

The city sits on elevated ground and is referred to as the "key to Donbas,” as its capture would allow Russian forces to advance almost unimpeded toward Kramatorsk and other cities.