In brief
Russian troops have infiltrated Kostyantynivka, turning the city into a ‘grey zone’ where neither side exercises full control. Ukrainian commanders insist the situation remains under control, but Russian forces claim they have surrounded the city and gained a foothold on its outskirts. The city’s fall would allow Russian troops to advance toward Kramatorsk, Sloviansk and ultimately seize the entire Donbas, a Kremlin objective. Ukraine has intensified drone strikes against Russian infantry, supply routes and command posts, while Russian drones – including cheap Chinese models – target Ukrainian launch sites. Ukrainian soldiers report insufficient reinforcements, slow progress, and increasing logistical difficulties, warning that Kostyantynivka’s fall could jeopardise operations in the region.
Russian forces have infiltrated the strategic eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, effectively turning it into a ‘grey zone’ where neither side exercises full control.
Ukrainian commanders claim the situation remains under control but deny any successful Russian advance, stating that the enemy has no success and that the city is still held by Ukrainian forces.
Kostyantynivka is a gateway to the Donbas. Its fall would allow Russian forces to move toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk and eventually seize the entire Donbas, a key objective of the Kremlin’s war strategy.
Russian troops have been advancing from the south and the north, reportedly surrounding the city and capturing nearby villages to cut off supplies. The Russian defence ministry posted footage of their troops on the ground in Kostyantynivka and a screengrab showing damaged buildings in the city.
Ukrainian drones target Russian infantry and destroy their launch sites, but Russian drones – sometimes cheap Chinese models – keep pacing them closely across the ‘kill zone’ where Ukrainian forces can detect enemy movement and strike immediately.
Ukrainian soldiers report a lack of reinforcements, slow advances—sometimes only a few hundred metres per day—and logistical challenges, with land routes under constant attack and drones intercepting supplies.
