Oleh Shyriaiev, commander of the 255th assault battalion that has been engaged in the area for six months, reported that Russian forces burned every building not already destroyed by shelling after capturing the neighborhood.

"I regret that we are gradually losing territory," Shyriaiev said via phone from Chasiv Yar. He added, "we cannot hold what is ruined." He described Russia's use of scorched-earth tactics aimed at destroying anything that could be used as a military position, forcing Ukrainian troops to retreat from the strategic town.

Chasiv Yar lies just west of Bakhmut, which Russia captured last year following a bitter 10-month battle. According to Kyiv, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukraine's defensive line in the area has increased over the past month.

As the war in Ukraine continues, Russia’s defense ministry announced that its forces were conducting drills involving mobile nuclear missile launchers, the Interfax news agency reported this morning. (ILKHA)