Kyiv Admits ‘Difficult’ Situation in Donetsk as Russia Hones in on Chasiv Yar

Kyiv has denied reports that Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Chasiv Yar while admitting that the battlefield situation near the frontline town is “very difficult.” Located in the eastern Donetsk region, Chasiv Yar sits roughly 50 miles north of the town of Avdiivka, which fell to Russian forces in February. “The situation there is very difficult,” Andriy Zadubinnyi, a spokesman for Ukraine’s eastern military command, said on April 5. Speaking to Reuters, he admitted that “fighting continues” near Chasiv Yar, but insisted that Russian troops had not entered the town. “Don’t believe the Russian reports,” Mr. Zadubinnyi said. Earlier the same day, Igor Kimakovsky, a high-ranking official from the Moscow-recognized Donetsk People’s Republic, claimed that Russian forces had reached Chasiv Yar’s outskirts....