Ivan Petrychak, head of communications for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo, stated this in an interview with Espreso TV.By the way, the Russians have already claimed several times that they have taken this settlement.Chasiv Yar – the key to KramatorskWhat is the current situation in Chasiv Yar, especially considering that the Russians reported a few days ago that they had already captured the city? What part of the city is actually controlled by the Defense Forces?Regarding the numbers—when I hear, for example, 88%, 33%—I never understood how that could be calculated overall. Moreover, to say that a certain part is controlled by the Russians or by us would not be accurate information, because no one can really calculate that. The situation on the front over the past year has been so tense and dynamic that these meters change every day.If we imagine society in a vacuum, picturing the front as a fixed line of trenches, I have to disappoint you: it hasn’t been like that for a long time. The enemy constantly tries to infiltrate our positions in small groups, and we do the same. So, talking about a defined front line, as we imagine it on a map, would be incorrect. But it’s important to understand that the Russian army is currently trying to advance. The enemy is constantly making efforts to move forward, and we are constantly working to prevent this, to change the tactical situation and improve it for ourselves.Therefore, the war in Chasiv Yar continues—in the city, in the urban area. If you look at Deepstate, you can see where the notional front line runs.Is Chasiv Yar so important mainly because of its commanding height in the area?Of course. This has long been known, and there’s nothing new to add. The enemy has stated that Chasiv Yar is a commanding height, which they likely want to use for further advances in the region. The Russians want to use Chasiv Yar as a springboard for further offensives toward the Kramatorsk and Sloviansk agglomeration.What is the nature of the current Russian offensive? How massive is it, and what equipment are they using?Now we see a trend of the Russians reducing the amount of armored vehicles used in our direction. If a year ago the enemy used more than 20 armored vehicles in a single assault—and all of that equipment would burn...These were relatively new Russian BMD-4s, light and armored vehicles for transporting Russian infantry, and they tried to bring their infantry as close as possible to our positions, but suffered heavy losses."Over the year, the brigade and adjacent units have destroyed a significant amount of new armored vehicles, and now we see the enemy tending to use older equipment, like the MT-LB, reinforced with extra armor. Mostly, they are not using armored vehicles, but rather quad bikes or motorcycles."Lack of three things: time, ammunition, and peopleThe 24th Brigade has been fighting in Chasiv Yar for a long time. Do you know this area well by now? Is it better to fight in one place for a long time?You know, we definitely don’t decide that—it’s an order from higher command, which we carry out. But today, the Chasiv Yar campaign is one of the longest in the history of the 24th Brigade, where we have held one position under such pressure from the enemy. It’s clear that when a brigade stays in one place for a certain time, all its units, including attached battalions, study the area, can compare photos, conduct reconnaissance, and look for new routes, taking into account the background and experience of fighting specifically in this area, regardless of the terrain and enemy reconnaissance. Every day, we observe, analyze enemy actions, and take appropriate measures to prevent the Russians from achieving their objectives.What is most lacking on this section of the front, or what is most needed right now?We are no different from other brigades in this regard. Before this, we were stationed in Toretsk. The war is constantly changing. In a situation where we are fighting an enemy that significantly outnumbers us, there are always three things in short supply: time, ammunition, and people. Not because we aren’t given ammunition or people."The enemy’s superior numbers always make you want more and better. But we work with what we have. Right now, the most acute issue is people, because even in such difficult conditions, the brigade is growing, developing, and keeping up with the times."New battalions of unmanned systems and ground robotic complexes are appearing in the brigade. We are now looking for pilots, mechanics, and technicians to operate these unmanned systems for remote warfare. And situational fundraising is also very important for us.Each brigade unit has drone labs, people who operate and scout with drones, and inflict fire damage on the enemy. These units are centrally supplied with drones by the state and various funds, but each unit also has small fundraisers—100,000 or 200,000 UAH—to modernize, change frequencies, and maximize damage to the enemy.These fundraisers are open on the pages of each unit. Anyone can and should join in.