Fierce Battle For Chasiv Yar Shows That Russia Is Not Ready For Peace

Forbes

2 days ago

Over the past months, there has been ongoing discussions about potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the war between the two nations continues to rage, with Russia mounting a number of attacks along its 600-mile front. Much of the fiercest fighting has recently taken place in the city of Chasiv Yar in the Donbas region. Although the battle for the city has been ongoing for more than a year and Russian forces now control a large portion of it, Russia has recently intensified its efforts to capture the entire city.
The exact state of Chasiv Yar is uncertain, as Russia and Ukraine are reporting conflicting information. Russia first launched their assault to take the city in April 2024, and The Moscow Times reported on January 29, 2025, that they had fully captured the city. However, the Institute for the Study of War, citing geo-located footage, has stated that Ukraine is still fighting to maintain control of the southern portion of the city. This fighting is inherently intense, due to the nature of urban conflict in a small, practically abandoned city. The buildings create a three-dimensional battlefield, offering both cover and concealment, while alleys become choke points. The fighting has become even more complex with the introduction of drones, which the Ukrainians are using extensively to push back the Russian assaults.
Over the past weeks, the Russians have increased their assaults on Chasiv Yar. As part of this effort, Russia has augmented their forces with soldiers from the Federal Security Service Presidential Regiment. This unit, which is approximately the size of a motorized rifle brigade, is usually assigned ceremonial duties around the Kremlin. Although not considered elite, its presence suggests that Russia is attempting to plug gaps and address manpower shortages by repurposing even a ceremonial unit to maintain momentum in capturing the city.
Ukrainian officials have also reported an increase in armored vehicle assaults. The number of daily attacks has risen from three to five to as many as seven to nine. This escalation is notable given Russia's ongoing shortages of armored vehicles and the demand for them in other regions. Russia's decision to deploy armored vehicles in Chasiv Yar is particularly striking, as their effectiveness in urban environments is limited. In cities, armored units are often funneled into narrow streets and become vulnerable to attacks from above. As a result, Russia can expect to lose a significant number of these in-demand vehicles. Still, their use has become a necessity, as Ukrainian drones are quickly destroying lighter vehicles.
Russia is also deploying new technologies on the battlefield hoping to get a tactical edge. Ukrainian social media posts have included footage showing their own drones stalking and destroying Russian drones. These drones appear to be newer models that likely include features that allow them overcome Ukrainian jamming. Further, Ukrainian sources have also posted footage of various Russian unmanned ground combat vehicles. These units, which appear to be providing resupply to Russian forces in the city, are also being targeted and destroyed by Ukrainian drones.
Although capturing Chasiv Yar is critical to the Russian war effort, it carries little long-term strategic value. The city is not a symbolic or economically vital city like Mariupol, Bakhmut, or Kherson, whose capture appears to be part of the overarching objectives of the Russian invasion. Rather, Chasiv Yar is a fortified position that blocks Russian forces from advancing deeper into the Donetsk region toward Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.
The sacrificing of personnel, equipment, and advanced technology to take Chasiv Yar indicates that the Russian military does not expect peace to come soon. Rather, they appear to be laying the groundwork for their summer offensive. More likely, the Russian military anticipates continued fighting through at least the summer.
Russia's long-term objectives remain uncertain, but their intensified operations in Chasiv Yar are clear. Meanwhile, Ukraine's goals are straightforward. Ukrainian forces aim to prevent Russia from taking full control of the city and to bog Russian troops down in a prolonged, bloody urban battle. This approach forces Russia to expend valuable soldiers and equipment, potentially wearing down Russian resolve and strengthening Ukraine's position ahead of future negotiations. As such, the outcome of the Battle of Chasiv Yar may not only shape the next phase of the war but also set the terms for any future peace.