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JonPreston quoting: "Moreover, Ukrainian troops have recently retreated from Chasiv Yar, a strategically important town, whose hilltop position could help Russians to batter the key remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region, according to Luke Harding, correspondent for The Guardian."

So, let's talk about Chasiv Yar -- a prewar population of circa 12,000 now completely destroyed, about six miles due west of Bakhmut.

Bakhmut, May 2023:

There's no doubt that Chasiv Yar has some tactical importance, both for its elevated location and connections with important supply routes.

The Battle of Chasiv Yar follows the 42-week long Battle of Bakhmut, which ended in May 2023 and cost the Russians around 100,000 casualties, according to US intelligence estimates -- roughly the same as US losses during the WWII Battle of the Bulge.
For their ~100,000 casualties, Russians conquered less than 100 square miles around Bakhmut, or over 1,000 casualties per square mile.

At Chashiv Yar the story is the same --

Massive Russian casualties expended to conquer minimum square miles of territory, at Chashiv Yar since April 4.
In Russian meat-wave assaults, the casualties' ratios can reach 10 Russians to one Ukrainian, and the overall average has increased from circa thee-to-one in 2023 to now six-to-one, according to Ukrainians.

Finally, it's worth noting that Russians have claimed to conquer Chasiv Yar now several times, when what they've actually taken was just its lower eastern suburb, not the hilltop center city.
So, for sure, the hilltop city is now reduced to rubble, but I doubt if Ukrainians will finally give it up without extracting maximum casualties from Russian invaders.

Bottom line: at the current rate, it will take Russia over 1,000 years to conquer all of Ukraine (233,000 square miles), and it will consume all of Russia's 140 million population.

Yeah, I don't think so...

So, let's talk about Chasiv Yar

My dear God, yes!

And may I add it's terrific to have you back in my loop, Bro.

I don't expect you to get writer's cramp posting back to me, but I'll need more from you than #102.

It's skimpy to say the least.

So let's talk..

Devastation of the "Kanal" district, on the east side of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region. Ukrainian forces recently withdrew from the district, amid relentless Russian advances. Photos by @MaryanKushnir pic.twitter.com/M4hxILt8yV— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) July 8, 2024

Thanks for laying out the “we have taken Berlin” level of hyperbole out of the usuals

Completely destroy a city, lose enormous amounts of men and material, bomb a few children’s hospitals for side fun, and thought you have only taken a fraction plant your flag and declare “second coming of Kursk “.