World News

Ukraine denies Russia’s claimed takeover of eastern town

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Social Links for Chris Harris
Published April 6, 2024, 3:42 p.m. ET

The “meat grinder” continued in Ukraine Saturday with intense battles in the partially occupied eastern Donetsk region, as Russian forces tried to penetrate Ukrainian defenses during the war’s 772nd day of fighting.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed its troops now control Vodiane, a settlement within Donetsk, after thwarting two counterattacks by Ukraine’s mountain brigade.

Russian state media said fighters also entered the suburbs of Chasiv Yar, near Bakhmut — claims Ukraine roundly denied.

Bakhmut was the scene of major fighting last year, with heavy losses on both sides, until Moscow’s forces took the city in May.

An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile strike.
An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile strike. REUTERS
A Ukrainian serviceman wearing battle fatigues sits on a bench smoking as a local resident clears debris from a damaged building nearby.
A Ukrainian serviceman smokes sitting on a bench as a local resident clears debris near a damaged building. AP
Four men wearing orange vests look over a burned out car Saturday after Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Men check the damage Saturday after Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine. ZUMAPRESS.com
Colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, attends an interview with Reuters, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine.
Colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, attends an interview with Reuters, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. REUTERS

Russia is eager to take control of Chasiv Yar before advancing to the other nearby cities, the Kyiv Independent reported.

Overnight and daytime drone and missile attacks in the region killed eight people Saturday while wounding another dozen.

Three people were also killed and 13 injured when five Russian missiles struck the southern city of Zaporizhzhia.

Rescue workers extinguish the fire at the site of a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, early Saturday.
Rescue workers extinguish the fire at the site of a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, early Saturday. AP

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, said the Russian military is carrying out offensive operations almost 24 hours day, utilizing assault groups in armored vehicles.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense forces downed three Russia cruise missiles and 28 drones Saturday. “Russian killers continue to terrorize Ukrainians and attack Kharkiv and other peaceful cities,” said Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk in a statement.

A car burns at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine.
A car burns at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. REUTERS
A crater is left near a playground outside apartment buildings after a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
A crater is left after a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Ukrainian explosive technicians examine fragments on site of the explosion after a missile strike in Kharkiv on April 6, 2024.
Ukrainian explosive technicians examine fragments on site of the explosion after a missile strike in Kharkiv on April 6, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Servicemen of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine run at their positions at a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Servicemen of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine run at their positions at a frontline, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine. REUTERS

Russia claimed its air defenses shot down 10 rockets bound for Belgorod, a border city that Ukraine has attacked several times.

In other developments:

  • U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen’s talks Friday and Saturday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng included the topic of Russia’s invasion. “Secretary Yellen emphasized that companies, including those in the [People’s Republic of China], must not provide material support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, including support to the Russian defense industrial base, and the significant consequences if they do so,” said a Treasury Department statement. “
  • An act of sabotage crippled a Russian oil pipeline near the city of Azov in Rostov Oblast, indefinitely disrupting oil transport throughout the region. Ukrainian officials released video footage of the explosion, and claimed the pipeline supplied fuel to the Russian military. The blast came a day after Ukraine targeted an air base in the same city with a swarm of drones that destroyed or damaged six Russian warplanes and eight jets and killed up to 20 Russian soldiers.