[Goose]

The newer Russian offensive near Kharkiv has petered out and Ukraine has made some limited gains in counter attacks.

Russia has made very small advances near Chasiv Yar in the east but overall the last few weeks have been pretty stable, though Russia has still been trying small piecemeal assaults.

This high ground is critical to Ukraine's defense. Bakhumt was politically important because both Ukraine and Russia decided it was. Chasiv Yar is a different category. It is good that Russia have been held to almost a standstill there, but the pressure is still on. Ukraine needs a way to relieve the pressure. Russia can afford to be driven back. They would just need to try again. Ukraine does not have that luxury. Losing this high ground would expose their entire line of defense to continuously observed artillery fire. It would also give Russia a good jumping-off point for attacks into the rest of Donbas. It is tactically imperative that Ukraine keeps Russia off of Chasiv Yar. Let's hope they can.

[Goose]

The newer Russian offensive near Kharkiv has petered out and Ukraine has made some limited gains in counter attacks.

Russia has made very small advances near Chasiv Yar in the east but overall the last few weeks have been pretty stable, though Russia has still been trying small piecemeal assaults.

This high ground is critical to Ukraine's defense. Bakhumt was politically important because both Ukraine and Russia decided it was. Chasiv Yar is a different category. It is good that Russia have been held to almost a standstill there, but the pressure is still on. Ukraine needs a way to relieve the pressure. Russia can afford to be driven back. They would just need to try again. Ukraine does not have that luxury. Losing this high ground would expose their entire line of defense to continuously observed artillery fire. It would also give Russia a good jumping-off point for attacks into the rest of Donbas. It is tactically imperative that Ukraine keeps Russia off of Chasiv Yar. Let's hope they can.