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Battle of Kostiantynivka

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Battle of Kostiantynivka
Part of the eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)

Kostiantynivka in May 2026
Date25 October 2025 – present
(10 months, 4 weeks and 2 days)
Location
Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
48°32′N 37°43′E / 48.533°N 37.717°E / 48.533; 37.717
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
Russia Ukraine
Units involved

Russian Armed Forces

Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Battle of Kostiantynivka is an ongoing military engagement in the Russo-Ukrainian war between the Russian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Ukraine for control over the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka.

Background

After the Russian capture of Toretsk in August 2025, its troops continued launching assaults to the northwest in the direction of Kostiantynivka.[9] By 23 August, Russian forces captured the village of Kleban-Byk [uk], located in between the cities of Toretsk and Kostiantynivka.[10]

Battle

Early infiltrations and fight for the southeast (October – December 2025)

The first Russian infiltration attempts into Kostiantynivka occurred at the end of October 2025.[11] Russian assault groups began entering the city from the southeast.[12] The Ukrainian 28th Mechanized Brigade managed to thwart one of these attempts.[13] An estimated 4,800 residents remained in the city by early November.[14][15] On 21 November, Russian forces seized the village of Ivanopillia located to the south of Kostiantynivka.[16][17] Furthermore, its troops were able to advance in the southeastern parts of the city.[18][19]

In early December, the Russian army made further advances into southeastern Kostiantynivka along Mahistralna Street.[20] Meanwhile, the remaining residents struggled to survive in their damaged homes.[21] The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs released footage which showed the destruction of the city.[22] At the same time, Russian units reached Kustanaiska Street in southeastern Kostiantynivka.[23] Russian chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, claimed on 18 December that Russia controls 50 percent of Kostiantynivka.[24] While the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) estimated that Russia controls about 5 percent of the city.[25][26] At the end of December, Russian forces captured a trench system in eastern Kostiantynivka, thus reaching the T-0504 Bakhmut – Pokrovsk highway.[27] Moreover, its troops started advancing along Ostrovskoho Street towards the railway station.[28] Further south, Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks from Ivanopillia in the direction of southern Kostiantynivka.[6]

Entrance into the eastern and western outskirts (January – May 2026)

Military situation in and around Kostiantynivka, as of 5 January 2026

At the beginning of 2026, Russian forces began launching assaults from Yablunivka to southwestern Kostiantynivka, through the H-20 Donetsk – Kramatorsk highway.[2] Soldiers of the Ukrainian 24th Mechanized Brigade installed anti-drone nets above several roads around the city to protect their resupply.[29] Analysts noted that the seizure of Kostiantynivka is part of Russia’s 2026 war priority.[30] Russian units infiltrated toward the village of Illinivka located to the west of Kostiantynivka by 17 January.[31] In addition, its forces attempted to gain a foothold in the most western districts of the city.[32] South of Kostiantynivka, Russian forces claimed to have captured Berestok.[33][34] In the subsequent weeks, the Russian army intensified their efforts to strike Ukrainian logistics towards the city.[35][36] The ISW assessed on 16 February that Ukrainian forces no longer maintain positions to the south of Berestok.[37] This resulted in full Russian control over the Kleban-Byk Reservoir.[38] Russian forces struck the dam near the settlement of Osykove causing flooding in the area. This made the road connecting Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka impassible, further complicating Ukrainian logistics towards the city.[39][40]

Meanwhile in downtown Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian troops captured a Russian soldier near the railway station, indicating Ukrainian control over the central station.[41] Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian assaults on the city throughout March 2026.[42][43][44] Geolocations of video footage shows that Russian and Ukrainian positions inside Kostiantynivka are interspersed, making the exact frontline hard to determine.[45] Russian units managed to reach the zinc plant in central Kostiantynivka following an infiltration operation.[46][47] An estimated 2,500 residents still lived in the city by April 2026.[48] Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that Russia was increasing its assaults on the city by the end of the month.[49][50] In early May, Russian infiltration groups were operating in Illinivka and along Heroiv Pratsi Street in western Kostiantynivka.[51][52] The Ukrainian army pushed Russian troops back near Illinivka by 20 May.[53] In the meantime, humanitarian teams continued evacuating the remaining residents while being under constant enemy drone presence. As the city is located in the middle of the kill zone, many of Kostiantynivka's buildings are damaged and unrecognizable. The New York Times drew the comparison that Kostiantynivka will meet the same fate as other eastern Ukrainian cities, such as Bakhmut and Pokrovsk.[54]

Battle for central Kostiantynivka (June 2026 – present)

At the start of June, Russian forces penetrated deeper into Kostiantynivka igniting heavy urban fighting.[55][56] The Russian army began pushing from both the western and eastern direction toward the city center.[57][58] On 10 June, the ISW reported that Russian forces made tactical gains in eastern Kostiantynivka by entering the village of Novodmytrivka.[59] The commander of the Ukrainian 28th Mechanized Brigade told Hromadske that Ukrainian forces are in a semi-encirclement as a result of these advances in the east.[60][61] A Ukrainian military observer warned that Russia may capture the city by the end of summer 2026.[62] Two days later, local Ukrainian commanders stated to Hromadske that up to 250 Russian troops were present inside the city, therefore surpassing the phase of infiltration.[63][64] At the same time, the Russian 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade released geolocated footage of several flag displays by their units throughout the western and central parts of Kostiantynivka.[65] The ISW additionally assessed that Russian forces had consolidated their positions in southern Kostiantynivka up to the T-0504 highway.[66]

One week later, Russian units reached the Kryvyi Torets river with the seizure of the Metallurgical Plant in central Kostiantynivka.[67] Ukrainian soldiers told the BBC that the entire city effectively turned into 'a grey zone'.[68] They added that the Russian army advanced into Kostiantynivka from the south and started operating in the northern outskirts.[69][70] Military analysts began assessing that the city is on the verge of falling into Russian hands.[71][72]

On 3 July, the Russian Defence Ministry announced the full capture of Kostiantynivka. Russian general Valery Gerasimov told the announcement to Russian president Vladimir Putin during a visit of a command post.[73][74] The following day, Ukraine rejected the Russian claims and denied that Russia is in complete control of Kostiantynivka. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that the report is "just another Russian lie to create a news story".[75][76] Zelenskyy additionally challenged Putin to meet him in Kostiantynivka and called for finding diplomatic solutions to end the war.[77][78] In response, Russia proposed a temporary ceasefire in Kostiantynivka to handover the bodies of fallen Ukrainian service members.[79][80] Russia alleged that this local ceasefire was rejected by Ukraine.[81][82]

In the following weeks, both sides continued to claim to be in control of Kostiantynivka.[83] According to Meduza, neither Russia nor Ukraine is correct, stating that both forces hold positions inside the city center.[84] Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported that Russian forces advanced north of the railway station, while fighting continued for the Metalurh Park and Metalurh Stadium in central Kostiantynivka.[85] On 8 July, the ISW reported that a Ukrainian Brigade commander reported that Russian forces had conducted 10 to 15 mechanized assaults in the last three months, but did not advance. He claimed that Russian company commanders were still instructing their soldiers to advance, despite losing 300 to 400 soldiers "without accomplishing any objectives". He also claimed that Russian forces had lost 1,200 soldiers fighting for Rusyn Yar, but failed to capture the settlement.[86] On 18 July, the Ukrainian 425th Skelya Regiment claimed to have cleared Kostiantynivka from Russian troops, publishing a video showing its soldiers waving a Ukrainian flag inside one of the buildings in the city center.[87][88] The next day, Russia announced that it had captured the Ukrainian soldiers.[89] Skelya confirmed that the soldiers are its service members by 20 July. The attack was later labelled as a flag-raising operation.[90]

As of 22 July, the control over Kostiantynivka remains contested per the ISW, while up to 145 Russian troops remained present in the city as stated by the Ukrainian military.[91][92] At the end of July, Russian forces advanced on the right bank of the Kryvyi Torets river toward northern Kostiantynivka, with the first Russian infiltration groups reaching the southern outskirts of the neighboring town of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka.[93][94] Three Ukrainian soldiers told Hromadske that the situation in Kostiantynivka is worsening and that logistics into the city have become "nearly impossible".[95]

Casualties

On 23 August 2026, President Zelenskyy claimed that Russian forces had suffered 267,000 casualties along the entire front since the beginning of the year, including 155,000 killed, and that 70 to 80 percent of all Russian losses occurred in the Kostyantynivka direction.[96]

Analysis

Strategic value

Kostiantynivka is a part of Ukraine's fortress belt.[97][98] This is a network of the four cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka itself, functioning as the main defensive line of the Ukrainian army in the Donbas region.[99] Analysts describe Kostiantynivka as a "backbone for Ukraine's defense" and a gateway for Russia to seize the remainder of the Donetsk region.[100][101][102]

Tactics

DeepStateMap noted that the Russian army used similar tactics as in their Pokrovsk offensive, exerting intense pressure from multiple sides while simultaneously sending small groups of infantry into the city.[103] The Institute of the Study of War (ISW) assessed on 15 June that it has indications that some of the Russian flag-raising videos may be AI-generated to exaggerate tactical successes in Kostiantynivka.[104][105] According to The Kyiv Independent, the deployment of Rubicon to the Kostiantynivka area was causing "a drastic worsening of Ukrainian front line logistics," mirroring the situation of Ukrainian supply lines during the Pokrovsk offensive.[106]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sobieski, Jessica; Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Mappes, Grace; Simanovskyy, Misha; Nasreddine, Diana; Shafiro, Samuel; Barros, George (19 January 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 19, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  2. 1 2 Mappes, Grace; Sobieski, Jessica; Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Simanovskyy, Misha; Greene, James; Shafiro, Samuel; Nasreddine, Diana; Hird, Karolina (4 January 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 4, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Sobieski, Jessica; Young, Justin; Mappes, Grace; Olmsted, Jennie; Simanovskyy, Misha; Shafiro, Samuel; Nasreddine, Diana; Hird, Karolina (5 January 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 5, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Analysis: Russia breaks into Kostiantynivka, opening battle for Donbas fortress belt". Kyiv Independent. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  5. ↑ Лісова, Юстина (28 October 2025). "Пресофіцер 24 ОМБр врятував від російського дрона нідерландську журналістку, яка знімала сюжет у Костянтинівці" [Officer of the 24th Brigade saved a Dutch journalist who was filming a story in Kostiantynivka from a Russian drone]. Hromadske (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  6. 1 2 Mazurenko, Alona (24 December 2025). "Ukrainian forces repel assault near Kostiantynivka as Russian troops advance in small groups with vehicles". Pravda UA. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Абрамова, Анетт (23 December 2025). "«Пишаємося своєю роботою»: двоє піхотинців вийшли з позиції поблизу Костянтинівки через 130 днів оборони" [”We are proud of our work”: two infantrymen withdrew from a position near Kostiantynivka after 130 days of defense]. Hromadske (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  8. ↑ Kottasová, Ivana; Gak, Kostya; Butenko, Victoria (16 November 2025). "From Bakhmut to Pokrovsk, here's how Russian tactics have shifted". CNN. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Harward, Christina; Mappes, Grace; Novikov, Daria; Sobieski, Jessica; Young, Justin; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Hird, Karolina (7 August 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 7, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Russia Says Captured 2 Villages in Ukraine's Donetsk Region". The Moscow Times. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  11. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Sobieski, Jessica; Harward, Christina; Gibson, Olivia; Matthews, Ian; Kagan, Frederick W. (25 October 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 25, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  12. ↑ Young, Justin; Harward, Christina; Gibson, Olivia; Matthews, Ian; Barros, George; Iredale, Veronica (6 November 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 6, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  13. ↑ Romanenko, Valentyna (12 November 2025). "Ukrainian troops repel Russian attempt to break into Kostiantynivka". Pravda UA. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  14. ↑ Kizilov, Yevhen (12 November 2025). "Kostiantynivka: 4,800 residents still in the city, evacuation remains possible". Pravda UA. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Денисяка, Ольга (17 November 2025). "Військові показали зруйновану ударами рф Костянтинівку: у місті залишаються 4800 людей" [The military showed Kostiantynivka destroyed by Russian strikes: 4,800 people remain in the city]. Hromadske (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  16. ↑ Mappes, Grace; Harward, Christina; Olmsted, Jennie; Matthews, Ian; Barros, George (21 November 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 21, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  17. ↑ "Russian forces seize settlement of Ivanopillia in eastern Ukraine, defense ministry says". Al Arabiya English. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  18. ↑ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Mappes, Grace; Sobieski, Jessica; Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Simanovskyy, Misha; Greene, James; Hird, Karolina (28 November 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 28, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  19. ↑ Кириленко, Ольга (25 November 2025). "Що відбувається на Донеччині, поки Трамп і Путін хочуть примусити Україну до "миру"" [What’s happening in Donetsk, while Trump and Putin want to forces Ukraine into “peace”]. Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  20. ↑ Harward, Christina; Olmsted, Jennie; Sobieski, Jessica; Simanovskyy, Misha; Greene, James; Matthews, Ian; Stepanenko, Kateryna (2 December 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 2, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  21. ↑ Stepanov, Anatolii (9 December 2025). "'It's scary, but we live on': inside Ukraine's besieged east". Reuters. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Романенко, Валентина (12 December 2025). "Стирають квартал за кварталом: Сили оборони показали, як росіяни руйнують Костянтинівку" [Erasing block by block: Defense Forces show how Russians are destroying Kostiantynivka]. Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  23. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Sobieski, Jessica; Young, Justin; Mappes, Grace; Greene, James; Shafiro, Samuel; Nasreddine, Diana; Kagan, Frederick W.; Iredale, Veronica (12 December 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 12, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  24. ↑ Harward, Christina; Olmsted, Jennie; Simanovskyy, Misha; Greene, James; Shafiro, Samuel; Nasreddine, Diana; Kagan, Frederick W.; Iredale, Veronica (18 December 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 18, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  25. ↑ Harward, Christina; Mappes, Grace; Young, Justin; Greene, James; Shafiro, Samuel; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Nasreddine, Diana; Kagan, Frederick W. (19 December 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 19, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  26. ↑ Psaropoulos, John T. (25 December 2025). "Russia claims to have seized swathes of Ukraine in 2025". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  27. ↑ Stepanenko, Kateryna; Harward, Christina; Greene, James; Simanovskyy, Misha; Matthews, Ian; Shafiro, Samuel; Nasreddine, Diana; Barros, George (23 December 2025). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 23, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  28. ↑ Mappes, Grace; Olmsted, Jennie; Harward, Christina; Simanovskyy, Misha; Shafiro, Samuel; Kagan, Frederick W.; Iredale, Veronica (2 January 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 2, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  29. ↑ "Under the canopy of drone nets covering Ukraine's frontlines". Reuters. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  30. ↑ "Russia sets full seizure of Ukraine's Donetsk Region as Top 2026 war priority". Kyiv Post. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
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  32. ↑ Axe, David (22 January 2026). "Ukraine closed one door into Kostiantynivka, Russia found another already open". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  33. ↑ "Russian forces capture three villages in Ukraine, state media report". Reuters. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  34. ↑ "Russian forces capture three villages in Ukraine". Al Arabiya English. 30 January 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  35. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Simanovskyy, Misha; Shafiro, Samuel; Mappes, Grace; Harward, Christina; Thacker, Anna; Stepanenko, Kateryna (4 February 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  36. ↑ Axe, David (3 February 2026). "Russian troops may have seized their best chance to strangle Kostiantynivka". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  37. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Sobieski, Jessica; Harward, Christina; Simanovskyy, Misha; Shafiro, Samuel; Thacker, Anna; Barros, George (16 February 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 16, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  38. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Mappes, Grace; Nasreddine, Diana; Shafiro, Samuel; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Thacker, Anna; Hird, Karolina (26 February 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 26, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  39. ↑ Popilnichenko, Katherina (25 February 2026). "Russian Forces Destroy Dam Near Osykove to Disrupt Kostiantynivka Logistics". United24. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  40. ↑ Porokhnia, Yana (27 February 2026). "Russians blew up a dam near Kostiantynivka – Ukraine demands a legal assessment from the UN". LIGA. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  41. ↑ Simanovskyy, Misha; Sobieski, Jessica; Nasreddine, Diana; Young, Justin; Mappes, Grace; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Barros, George (27 February 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 27, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  42. ↑ "Ukraine's counteroffensive brings gains in the south but weakens other sectors of the front". Meduza. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  43. ↑ Romanenko, Valentyna (26 March 2026). "Ukraine's defence forces repel combined assault near Kostiantynivka". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  44. ↑ Denysiaka, Olha (26 March 2026). "Ukraine's 28th Brigade repels complex Russian assault on Kostiantynivka from four directions". Hromadske. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  45. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Shafiro, Samuel; Young, Justin; Thacker, Anna; Barros, George (26 March 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 26, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  46. ↑ "Ukraine halts Russian advances across key sectors as Moscow prepares a new offensive". Meduza. 1 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  47. ↑ Young, Justin; Olmsted, Jennie; Thacker, Anna; Harward, Christina; Mappes, Grace; Hird, Karolina (30 March 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 30, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  48. ↑ Kizilov, Yevhen (15 April 2026). "About 2,500 people remain in Kostiantynivka, but reaching them is almost impossible". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "Ukraine eyes Belarus border activities as Russian strikes persist". Al Jazeera English. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  50. ↑ "Fighting reaches outskirts of Kostiantynivka, a Ukrainian stronghold". Reuters. 2 May 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  51. ↑ Thacker, Anna; Mappes, Grace; Kostka, Jakub; Olmsted, Jennie; Young, Justin; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Kagan, Frederick W. (12 May 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 12, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  52. ↑ Mappes, Grace; Olmsted, Jennie; Shafiro, Samuel; Nasreddine, Diana; Kostka, Jakub; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Harward, Christina; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Hird, Karolina (14 May 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 14, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  53. ↑ Kostka, Jakub; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Olmsted, Jennie; Mappes, Grace; Nasreddine, Diana; Barros, George (20 May 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 20, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  54. ↑ Hicks, Tyler; Girbes, Gaëlle (25 May 2026). "A City in the Kill Zone". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  55. ↑ Oliynik, Tetyana (2 June 2026). "Russian forces are penetrating deeper into Kostiantynivka". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  56. ↑ Korovayny, Serhii; Farrell, Francis (3 June 2026). "Road to the kill zone: With Ukrainian troops on the lifeline from Kramatorsk to Kostiantynivka". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  57. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Thacker, Anna; Olmsted, Jennie; Shafiro, Samuel; Barros, George (4 June 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 4, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  58. ↑ "Putin says Russian troops are advancing on every front. In reality, the main battle is around Kramatorsk, and Ukraine could hold the city through 2026". Meduza. 6 June 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  59. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Thacker, Anna; Olmsted, Jennie; Shafiro, Samuel; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Barros, George (10 June 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 10, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  60. ↑ Буцко, Діана (10 June 2026). "У Костянтинівці тривають міські бої — комбат" [Urban fighting continues in Kostyantynivka – battalion commander]. Hromadske (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  61. ↑ "Russia says it has taken two more east Ukrainian villages". Reuters. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  62. ↑ Mukhina, Olena (10 June 2026). "Kostiantynivka is one of Ukraine's "Fortress Belt cities" Russia demands. It may fall by end of summer 2026, says observer". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  63. ↑ Буцко, Діана (12 June 2026). "Чи встоїть Костянтинівка до кінця літа?" [Will Kostyantynivka survive until the end of the summer?]. Hromadske (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  64. ↑ Romanenko, Valentyna (12 June 2026). "Over 100 Russians have infiltrated Kostiantynivka, military warns of threats". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  65. ↑ Pataj, Roman (12 June 2026). "Ukrainian town of Kostiantynivka might fall to Russia before end of summer". EU Observer. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  66. ↑ Shafiro, Samuel; Shymkiv, Kateryna; Harward, Christina; Mappes, Grace; Trach, Tetiana; Frykholm, Samuel; Barros, George (12 June 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 12, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  67. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Mappes, Grace; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Frykholm, Samuel; Barros, George (20 June 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 20, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  68. ↑ Abdurasulov, Abdujaril (22 June 2026). "Russian troop build-up threatens city seen as key to seizing Ukraine's Donbas". BBC News. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  69. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Harward, Christina; Thacker, Anna; Trach, Tetiana; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Barros, George (22 June 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 22, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  70. ↑ Tarasova-Markina, Daria; Kent, Lauren (24 June 2026). "Russia is still inching forward in eastern Ukraine, but experts say claims of progress are exaggerated". CNN. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  71. ↑ Axe, David (25 June 2026). "After eight months, Kostiantynivka is falling. Why some Ukrainian commanders would rather fight the open fields behind it". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  72. ↑ Peleschuk, Dan; Stepanov, Anatolii (29 June 2026). "Russia pounds on the gates of Ukraine's 'fortress belt'". Reuters. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  73. ↑ "Russian defence ministry says its forces captured Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine". Reuters. 3 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  74. ↑ "Russian defense ministry says its forces captured Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine". Al Arabiya English. 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  75. ↑ "Ukraine denies Russian capture of key eastern city Kostiantynivka". Reuters. 4 July 2026. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  76. ↑ Romanenko, Valentyna; Petrenko, Roman (4 July 2026). "Putin's claims about occupation of Kostiantynivka are false". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
  77. ↑ Culverwell, Dominic (4 July 2026). "Zelensky calls Putin's Kostiantynivka bluff: 'Let's meet there'". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 4 July 2026.
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  79. ↑ Bandouil, Sonya (4 July 2026). "Kremlin proposes temporary Kostiantynivka ceasefire and handover of bodies to Ukraine, calls for talks in Moscow". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  80. ↑ Oliynyk, Tetyana (4 July 2026). "Russia proposes ceasefire in Kostiantynivka and handover bodies to Ukraine". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  81. ↑ "Russia says Ukraine rejects local ceasefire in dispute over Kostiantynivka". Al Jazeera English. 5 July 2026. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  82. ↑ "Russia says Ukraine rejects local ceasefire for handover of soldiers' bodies". Reuters. 5 July 2026. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  83. ↑ Gall, Carlotta; Kozliuk, Stanislav (5 July 2026). "Far From Kyiv and Moscow, Soldiers Stalk Ruins and Evade Drones on the Front". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  84. ↑ "Russia says Kostiantynivka has fallen. Kyiv claims it still holds the city. Both are wrong". Meduza. 8 July 2026. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  85. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Trach, Tetiana; Thacker, Anna; Harward, Christina; Hird, Karolina (12 July 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 12, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  86. ↑ Bern, Stefaniia (2026-07-09). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 8, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  87. ↑ "Ukrainian Forces clear central Kostyantynivka of Russian troops and raise national flag". LB.ua. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  88. ↑ Mukhina, Olena (19 July 2026). "Ukraine's Skelia Regiment says it pushed Russia out of Kostiantynivka — city Moscow claimed to have taken on 3 July". EuromaidanPress. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  89. ↑ Гецко, Артем (20 July 2026). "росія заявила про захоплення в полон «прапороносців» «Скелі» в Костянтинівці. У полку відреагували" [Russia announced the capture of the “standard bearers” of Skelya in Kostiantynivka. The regiment reacted.]. Hromadske (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  90. ↑ Moroziuk, Polina; Hodunova, Kateryna (20 July 2026). "2 Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces after flag-raising operation in Kostiantynivka, Skelia confirms". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  91. ↑ Moroziuk, Polina; Hodunova, Kateryna (20 July 2026). "Up to 145 Russian troops remain in Kostiantynivka as Ukrainian forces hold defense, military says". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  92. ↑ Shymkiv, Kateryna; Trach, Tetiana; Shafiro, Samuel; Frykholm, Samuel; Mappes, Grace; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Thacker, Anna; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Sher, Arielle; Kagan, Frederick W. (22 July 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 22, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  93. ↑ Harward, Christina; Stepanenko, Kateryna; Trach, Tetiana; Shafiro, Samuel; Sundstrom, Nikolai; Mappes, Grace; Sher, Arielle; Barros, George (29 July 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 29, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  94. ↑ "The battlefield Ukraine's new commander-in-chief inherits as Russian troops push toward Ukraine's main defensive stronghold in Donbas". Meduza. 30 July 2026. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  95. ↑ Butsko, Diana (29 July 2026). "Kostiantynivka situation worsening fast with Russians now spotted in Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka, Ukrainian soldiers say". Hromadske. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  96. ↑ Bern, Stefaniia (2026-08-24). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 23, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  97. ↑ Jackson, Patrick (20 August 2025). "Putin says Russia will achieve its Ukraine aims by force if Kyiv doesn't want peace". BBC News. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  98. ↑ Torrano, Fermin (27 October 2025). "Inside Ukraine's fortress belt, where NATO doctrine no longer applies". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  99. ↑ Drummond, Michael (18 August 2025). "In maps: The territory Ukraine could be told to surrender in a 'land for peace' deal". Sky News. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  100. ↑ Roche, Joseph (2 September 2025). "In the Donbas 'Fortress', Ukraine's Soldiers Refuse to Yield". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  101. ↑ Kottasová, Ivana (23 January 2026). "What is the Donbas, the piece of Ukrainian land that Putin wants so badly?". CNN. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  102. ↑ Méheut, Constant; Konovalova, Olha; Guttenfelder, David (7 July 2025). "Ukrainian Troops Struggle to Hold the Line on the Eastern Front". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  103. ↑ Shumilin, Oleksandr (16 June 2026). "DeepState: Pokrovsk scenario could repeat itself in Kostiantynivka as Russia disregards heavy losses". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  104. ↑ Olmsted, Jennie; Harward, Christina; Thacker, Anna; Kang-Stryker, Anjou; Trach, Tetiana; Hird, Karolina (15 June 2026). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 15, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  105. ↑ Khomenko, Ivan (16 June 2026). "Russia Turns to AI Videos to Fake Battlefield Success Near Kostiantynivka". United24. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  106. ↑ "Analysis: Russia breaks into Kostiantynivka, opening battle for Donbas fortress belt". Kyiv Independent. 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026. Just as with the city of Pokrovsk, 2025 was also defined by a drastic worsening of Ukrainian front line logistics, mostly thanks to elite Russian drone unit Rubicon, which was deployed to the area in April last year.
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