Russia said on Thursday (July 31) it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting, opening the way for potential further advances.

A video released on social media showed Russian flags being raised on roads and rooftops, in an area heavily destroyed by fighting,

Reuters was able to verify the location in the video by matching buildings, roads and field layouts to satellite and file imagery. The date of the video could not be independently verified.

Russia's Defence Ministry said in a brief statement its forces had "liberated" the town. Reuters could not independently confirm its fall.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

CHASIV YAR, DONETSK REGION, UKRAINE (JULY 31, 2025) (SOCIAL MEDIA - No archive/ No resales/ News use only)

1. VARIOUS OF RUSSIAN FLAGS BEING WAVED ON ROAD

2. RUSSIAN FLAGS SEEN ON ROOF

3. VARIOUS OF DESTROYED BUILDING