Russian troops continue to press Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, attempting to infiltrate the city in small infantry groups and bypass Ukrainian positions from the flanks. At the same time, most of the city remains under the control of Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
Military personnel operating in the Kostiantynivka sector told Suspilne about the situation.
Earlier, DeepState analysts reported that Russian troops were trying to establish a foothold in Kostiantynivka and build up infantry inside the city. One of the occupiers’ objectives is reportedly to seize the area between Illinivka and Novodmytrivka in order to complicate supplies to Ukrainian units defending Chasiv Yar.
The commander of the Kurt & Company group within the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade, call sign Kurt, said heavy fighting and exchanges of fire were continuing in different parts of Kostiantynivka.
According to him, the main enemy forces are positioned on the flanks and are attempting to bypass Ukrainian units and cut their routes. Russian aircraft are constantly using guided aerial bombs against Ukrainian Defence Forces positions.
The press service of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade said the boundaries of the so-called kill zone around the city are constantly shifting depending on the activity of FPV drones, artillery and aircraft.
Open terrain, roads and approaches to Kostiantynivka remain the most dangerous areas. Russian forces are trying to establish continuous fire control over them and complicate the movement of personnel, equipment and unmanned ground vehicles.
According to the military, Russian forces have almost abandoned large-scale mechanized assaults. Instead, they are using infiltration tactics, moving individually or in pairs and taking advantage of destroyed buildings, basements and vegetation.
Kurt said Russian troops sometimes disguise themselves as civilians, making them difficult to detect. He estimated that up to 1,000 civilians may still be sheltering in basements in Kostiantynivka.
At the same time, the 36th Brigade stressed that it is currently incorrect to describe Kostiantynivka as semi-encircled. Despite the difficult situation on the flanks, the main routes remain under Ukrainian military control, and the city is not yet isolated.
Logistics into Kostiantynivka remain extremely dangerous because of constant drone and artillery strikes. The time required to reach positions and the duration of soldiers’ deployment in the city depend on the intensity of enemy reconnaissance and shelling.
According to Kurt, Ukraine’s Defence Forces are preparing to hold back Russian troops in Kostiantynivka for an extended period.
