LUGANSK, November 23. /TASS/. The Russian troops, exploiting a drive in Chasov Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), have gained a foothold in its industrial zone, military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS.

"Regarding Chasov Yar, in fierce fighting our troops managed to gain a foothold in the industrial zone on the territory of the fire-resistant materials plant (Chasov Yar fire-resistant materials plant - TASS), and now they continue exploiting a drive," he said.

The units of the Ukrainian armed forces have created "a very serious defense line" along the railroad in Chasov Yar and along one of the streets of the settlement, Marochko said. "Our reconnaissance units register a large number of masked positions, fortified areas there, but overall the situation here is quite serious as the enemy has managed to move up reserves. And now the Ukrainian commandership is doing everything possible for preventing our troops from moving ahead, in the western direction of the settlement," he noted.

Marochko told TASS on November 20 that Russian servicemen had broken through the Ukrainian line of defense in Chasov Yar, advanced 1.5 kilometers and gained a foothold in the central part of the town.