Fighting for Kostiantynivka continues as mop-up operations
Fighting for Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast continues, but there is currently no talk of the city being surrounded, as Russian units are operating in a disjointed manner and without clear coordination. Ukrainian forces are conducting complex mop-up operations in the city and surrounding areas in close-quarters combat. Experts emphasize that the situation remains fluid and could change in the coming weeks.
The situation around Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast remains tense and complex, but, as experts note, it is premature to speak of a complete encirclement of the city at this time, as Russian units are operating in a disjointed manner, in small groups, and without a single coordinated plan of attack, attempting to gain a foothold in urban areas and industrial zones.
The enemy is avoiding a direct assault and instead is using flanking tactics, attempting to gradually infiltrate the city in small infantry groups. Enemy groups have already been spotted in Kostiantynivka, hiding in basements and industrial zones and attempting to regroup; however, this does not mean they control the city or its surroundings, as the Defense Forces continue to conduct mop-up operations and drive the enemy from their positions. “Our military is conducting mop-up operations and liberating the territory, but these are complex operations that require working literally room by room,” Kuzan emphasized, noting that urban combat remains one of the most difficult forms of warfare.
The expert also noted that Russian units lack proper coordination and therefore cannot form a complete encirclement; instead, they are attempting to put pressure on the city’s outskirts and gradually expand their zone of influence.
Separately, he noted that strategically, the enemy aims to encircle Kostiantynivka, which is located in a low-lying area, while Russian forces are consolidating their positions on the high ground, which puts additional pressure on Ukrainian defenses, especially in the Chasovy Yar area, control of which is crucial for holding the high ground.
According to Kuzan’s assessment, a clearer picture of the fighting may emerge in the coming weeks, but these clashes are already playing an important role, as they force the enemy to spread out its reserves and lose momentum in its advance. “The fighting here is characterized by a bottleneck, where the enemy cannot fully utilize its large reserves in urban combat,” he added, concluding that the situation remains complex but under control within the framework of active defense. Serhiy Kuzan, head of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation, made this statement during a televised marathon.
In the southern sector, Russian troops have sharply intensified their assault operations, deploying new and better-trained units to the Huliaipole area. Despite the failure of previous plans to seize territory, the occupiers are setting new deadlines and attempting to increase pressure on Ukrainian positions.
The occupiers attacked Kostiantynivka with incendiary munitions and unleashed a rain of phosphorus.
Russia attacked Kharkiv and the surrounding region overnight; there are casualties.
