There will be a new flow of refugees from Ukraine as soon as Russia makes further progress on the front. This is the expectation expressed by BNR’s Europe reporter Geert Jan Hahn. This mainly revolves around the battle of Chasiv Yar. ‘From there you can reach a large part of the Donbas with weapons with a shorter range.’
Russia can make a big impact: ‘New refugee flow from Ukraine on the way’
1 min 53 sec
The city, right next to Bachmut, has been the subject of battle for some time. According to analysts, it is obvious that Russia will also take the city sooner or later. But from then on things could become even more difficult for Ukraine. This is due to the strategic position of the city, which is located on a hill. If Russia reaches that position, a large part of the Donbas will be within Russia’s reach. “Many cities are coming under fire, while the Donbas is heavily populated.”
Follow developments in Ukraine and Russia in our live blog
‘Then they can shoot everything to pieces from that hill. That is a great danger for Ukraine that will reveal itself’
According to Hahn, the situation is extra worrying because many Ukrainians from that region have not fled. ‘Not all Ukrainians there have already left or are being evacuated. I also hear from people that businesses are being opened, such as beauty salons and coffee shops. People think they just have to carry on and do business, because life goes on.’
Also read | Russia claims to order more weapons
Refugee flow
But the fact that Russia has almost taken Chasiv Yar and can then fire on a large part of the Donbas makes the situation explosive. ‘Then they can shoot everything to pieces from that hill. That is a great danger for Ukraine that is about to reveal itself. Then a new flow of refugees will start, because hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians will literally come under fire,” said the Europe reporter.
