"Significant move": The Russian Supreme Court has overcome its "Achilles' heel" and may seize a strategic city, reports WSJ.

Ukrainian forces have been holding back the Russian Armed Forces from advancing into a key city in the Donetsk region for months. However, their grip is beginning to weaken. This was reported on October 18 by The Wall Street Journal.

"This is the Achilles' heel of Russian tactics," said Captain and serviceman Rostislav Kasyanenko of the 21st Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion "Sarmat," pointing to the scorched earth gray zone between the Russian Armed Forces and the strategic city of Chasiv Yar.

For six months, the Defense Forces prevented the enemy from advancing to the city, which serves as a pathway to the rest of the Donetsk region. However, this week, Russian occupiers broke through, initiating an assault from two points on the canal east of Chasiv Yar.

"Their progress could signify a significant step for Russia in capturing the city," the publication noted.

Now, defenders must stop the Russian Armed Forces from establishing a foothold in the "buffer" zone and launching a full assault on Chasiv Yar. This city is considered the second key point for enemy efforts in the Donetsk region, alongside the logistics center in Pokrovsk.

It is reported that the enemy is trying to seize Chasiv Yar before the leaves fall and the rains begin. The city is being attacked using drones, artillery, and guided aerial bombs.

"Just one mistake, and Chasiv Yar could fall within days," Kasyanenko emphasized.

Chasiv Yar is situated on elevated ground, and the nearby canal had been a barrier for the Russian Armed Forces until this week. Currently, Ukrainian units have entrenched themselves and are fighting to prevent the occupiers from taking the city.

"This requires significant expenditures. In the defense of the city, Kasyanenko's company lost 30 men, or about a quarter of its current strength, while around 70 warriors from other units perished in battles against them. The local troops are currently clearing Russian weaponry, which indicates how overstretched and under-equipped the Ukrainian forces are," the media reported.

The Russian Armed Forces have targeted entry points to Chasiv Yar with strike drones, complicating reinforcement or evacuation of the wounded for the Defense Forces. Abandoned Ukrainian military vehicles litter the roads leading to the city.

Kasyanenko recounted how Russian fighters climbed cables stretched across the canal and then rushed in small groups into the gray zone. In one assault, 10 invaders crossed the canal and regrouped to advance into the "buffer." They were attacked with artillery and drones, while those who survived were "finished off" by infantry.

According to Lieutenant "Hulk," as a result of the assault, Russia lost eight fighters killed and two severely wounded. He reported that the occupiers managed to come within 33 meters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Russian Armed Forces have already been pushed back from the western side of the canal. As Kasyanenko explained, the risk lies in the enemy establishing a foothold in the gray zone and later reinforcing it. Currently, defenders are forced to rotate every five to seven days to defend the "buffer."

"We are just sitting among the ruins," said "Hulk."

Only a few buildings remain intact. Windows are shattered, and the roads leading to Chasiv Yar are filled with large craters. Ukrainian soldiers shared that they are particularly fearful of modified aerial bombs.

"If a guided bomb hits nearby — it's goodbye, and your soul goes to God," Kasyanenko stressed.

According to him, the Russian Armed Forces attack positions up to five times a day, often losing 20 fighters in a single day. Many of the enemy's storm troops are former prisoners recruited with promises of full release.

Approximately 24 kilometers from Chasiv Yar, a Russian private was detained. He recounted that he had been sentenced for theft several years ago. Upon arriving for training in July, he surrendered his documents and phone.

"That's when I realized that this trip was a one-way ticket," the Russian recalled.

In September, he escaped from a unit that had low morale due to Ukrainian drone attacks. His comrades shot at him, hitting his shoulder.

Kasyanenko's unit is using several vehicles captured from the enemy, including BMPs. The soldiers complain about the lack of effective electronic warfare capabilities against drones.

Junior Sergeant Stanislav Makoviy recalled how he found himself trapped with limited provisions. He endured 11 days under tank and drone bombardment. Each evening, the defender watched in fascination through night vision goggles as an owl and a cat ignored the explosions and hunted for mice in a nearby field.

"The hardest part is staying human," he added.

Let us remind you that on the night of October 19, DeepState analysts reported that the Russian Armed Forces advanced in the Donetsk region. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 196 combat encounters in a single day.

On October 18, the GUR reported the clearing of the village of Kruglyakovka in the Kupiansk direction from Russian occupiers.