The most significant news on July 31 around the world should be Russia's occupation of Chasiv Yar.
On the surface, it's just taking over a regular Ukrainian settlement, but the entire global situation will thus undergo a turning point.
If yesterday, the major powers and India accepted U.S. coercion to stop economic relations with Russia, Russia might have had no choice but to stop the war. However, today, there is no theoretical possibility of stopping the war for Russia anymore. The temptation is too great; once Chasiv Yar is opened, the entire Donbas region will be laid bare under Russia's feet. From now on, the Russian military can sweep northward, reaching Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk, and Sloviansk.
Ukraine mobilized up to 35 brigades at its peak to defend this settlement. Chasiv Yar can be considered the strongest fortress and the most critical chokepoint in Ukraine after Bachmut.
It is currently unknown about the losses in the Chasiv Yar campaign from 2023 until today. In the defense of Bachmut, the Russians and Wagner lost 50,000 elite troops, and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers were buried in the earth.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839157274680396/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.