Russian troops have penetrated into Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region and are attempting to encircle the city, which is considered one of the key points for further advancement in Donbas. This was reported by the BBC citing Ukrainian military sources, writes UNN.
Details
According to the publication's interlocutors, fighting is ongoing in the city, and Russian units are infiltrating various districts of Kostiantynivka. One Ukrainian drone operator stated that some enemy groups are even operating behind Ukrainian positions.
They are infiltrating areas behind our backs, and in urban conditions it is extremely difficult to push them out
Kostiantynivka is considered an important logistics hub and one of the key cities on the way to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
Ukrainian military assess the situation differently
The Russian side claims advancement on the outskirts of the city and the encirclement of some Ukrainian units. At the same time, the commander of the 19th Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, denied these claims.
The situation remains under control and the enemy has no success
BBC interlocutors among Ukrainian military note that Russian units are gradually accumulating forces in the city and using urban development for covert advancement. They are also actively trying to detect and destroy positions of Ukrainian drone operators.
At the same time, the analytical project DeepState believes that the loss of Kostiantynivka could significantly complicate the logistics of the Defense Forces in this direction and create additional risks for Kramatorsk.