Russian troops have infiltrated the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine and are now trying to surround it.
The entire city is effectively in a “grey zone”, no longer under clear control, Ukrainian soldiers say. A Ukrainian drone pilot described the difficulty of pushing back entrenched forces, saying it is “extremely difficult to push them out.” He prefers to remain anonymous.
Kostyantynivka is a gateway to the rest of the Donbas. If taken, Russian forces could move toward Ukrainian strongholds in the east, such as Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, bringing Russia closer to a full Donbas takeover.
Russian officials claim rapid advances, but Kyiv insists the situation is under control and there is no enemy success. Nevertheless, a senior Ukrainian commander acknowledges that about 130 Russian soldiers remain inside the city.
Ukrainian drones target Russian positions but are limited by resources. The enemy uses artillery, multiple rocket launchers, aviation and inexpensive Chinese drones for close‑quarters surveillance. Russian troops have successfully entered the kill zone, making Ukraine’s logistics and supply lines more difficult.
Reports of village seizures this year and recent Ukrainian attacks on Moscow oil refineries underline strategic pressure. Ukrainian frontline intelligence warns that the fall of Kostyantynivka is inevitable, and remaining in Kramatorsk will become extremely risky. The battlefield continues to shift as both sides vie for control of the city’s infrastructure and supply routes.
