Ukrainian positions in Chasiv Yar are starting to weaken – Russian army has broken through the defense, – The Wall Street Journal reports

Russian forces have advanced into urban areas of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region.

According to the Deep State public resource, they have captured part of the Zhovtnevyi district, located west of the water canal.

This means that the Ukrainian defense along the canal in Chasiv Yar, which had been holding off Russian attacks since July, has been breached.

Fighting is now taking place across much of the Zhovtnevyi district, as indicated by the “gray zone” on the Deep State map.

Reports from “The Wall Street Journal”, based on conversations with Ukrainian soldiers on the ground, suggest that Ukrainian positions in Chasiv Yar are starting to weaken.

For six months, Ukrainian forces held the Russians at the canal, but this week the Russians managed to break through in two areas.

“One mistake could be enough, and Chasiv Yar could fall in a matter of days,” said company commander Rostyslav Kasianenko.

This advance “could represent a significant step for Russia toward capturing the city.” Losing Chasiv Yar, along with Pokrovsk, is “key to Moscow’s attempts” to seize control of the Donetsk region.

Analysts believe the Russians aim to capture both cities before the leaves fall, which would deprive Ukrainian troops of critical cover, and before the onset of winter rains and mud. In July, Russian forces captured a district to the east of the canal.