stories
‘Around 13,000 people once lived here’ Photos from Ukraine’s Chasiv Yar, a town turned to a ‘wasteland’ by Russia’s ongoing assault
Source: Meduza
Russian troops are continuing their advance on the Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar. In the first half of January, the Russian Armed Forces captured the Chasiv Yar Refractory Plant, previously the Ukrainian military’s main stronghold in the city. Now, the two armies are fighting over the ruins that once served as the town center. On January 29, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry published photographs of the destruction, taken by Ukrainian soldiers fighting there. “Around 13,000 people once lived in this town. But since the Russians came, all that remains is a wasteland,” the ministry wrote.
Chasiv Yar. January 29, 2025.
National Guard of Ukraine / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
A drone operator from the 244th Separate Battalion of Ukraine’s 112th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade in Chasiv Yar. January 17, 2025.
Andre Luis Alves / Anadolu / Getty Images
Ruins of residential buildings in Chasiv Yar. January 29, 2025.
National Guard of Ukraine / AFP / Scanpix / LETA
Soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade with a Pion self-propelled artillery system in Chasiv Yar. January 27, 2025.
Wolfgang Schwan / Anadolu / Getty Images
Ukrainian soldiers fire a Pion self-propelled artillery system. January 27, 2025.
Wolfgang Schwan / Anadolu / Getty Images
A wounded Ukrainian soldier receives medical treatment at a stabilization point in Chasiv Yar. January 29, 2025.
Piotr Sobik / Anadolu / Getty Images
“Dragon’s teeth” anti-tank obstacles in Chasiv Yar. January 26, 2025.
Wolfgang Schwan / Anadolu / Getty Images
Chasiv Yar. January 29, 2025.
National Guard of Ukraine / AFP / Scanpix / LETA