Russian forces have infiltrated the strategic eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka and are attempting to surround it, raising concerns over the future of one of Kyiv's most important defensive positions in the Donbas region. Get today's headlines by email Ukrainian soldiers told the BBC that fighting has spread across the city, with some describing Kostyantynivka as effectively a "grey zone" where neither side maintains full control. A Ukrainian drone operator, speaking anonymously, said Russian troops had managed to move into areas behind Ukrainian lines, making them difficult to dislodge in densely built-up urban terrain. Russian Troops Push Into Strategic Eastern Ukrainian CityKostyantynivka is regarded as a key gateway to the rest of the Donbas. If Russian forces capture the city, they could advance toward the nearby cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, Ukraine's remaining major strongholds in the east, bringing Moscow closer to its objective of securing the entire region. Gateway to Remaining Donbas StrongholdsThe fighting comes despite a largely static front line in recent months. Ukrainian commanders say their forces have regained more territory this year than they have lost, while also targeting Russian supply routes linking the border with occupied Crimea. Kyiv has also continued long-range strikes on oil refineries and infrastructure inside Russia. Meanwhile, Russian-installed authorities in Crimea recently suspended public fuel sales, citing shortages. Conflicting Accounts of the SituationRussian officials say their troops are advancing rapidly in southwestern Kostyantynivka and have surrounded Ukrainian units. Kyiv rejects those claims. Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, commander of Ukraine's 19th Corps, said the situation remained under control and that Russian forces had achieved no significant success. However, he acknowledged that around 130 Russian soldiers remained inside the city. Several Ukrainian servicemen who spoke anonymously painted a more troubling picture. One officer operating in Kostyantynivka said Russian troops continued to build up their presence inside the city despite ongoing Ukrainian clearing operations. The officer said every building offered potential cover for advancing troops, while summer foliage further complicated efforts to detect movement. Drone War Shapes the BattlefieldThe battle has increasingly become a contest between drone units. According to Ukrainian soldiers, Russian drone operators have focused on locating and destroying Ukrainian drone launch sites, creating opportunities for infantry assaults. While Ukrainian crews concentrate on attacking advancing troops, Russian forces often use artillery, rocket systems and aircraft to support their operations. A Ukrainian drone pilot said limited personnel and resources have left many operators overstretched, reducing their ability to target Russian drone teams. As a result, Russian crews can identify Ukrainian positions more easily, forcing defenders to withdraw and gradually shifting the front line. Although one Ukrainian officer described the Russian advance as slow—sometimes only around 100 metres a day—he said the tactic mirrors previous operations in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces advanced along the flanks before surrounding key cities and severing supply routes. Fears Over the City's FutureRecent Russian claims of capturing villages west of Kostyantynivka have added to concerns about the city's position. The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState described the situation as a major crisis and warned that the city's fall could be only a matter of time. It said losing Kostyantynivka would complicate logistics across the area and make operations in nearby Kramatorsk significantly more dangerous. Another Ukrainian soldier said frontline units were struggling with manpower shortages and insufficient reinforcements, while commanders were often reluctant to acknowledge lost positions because they would be ordered to retake them. Despite the pressure, Ukrainian troops continue to fight inside the city. One drone operator argued that unless Ukrainian forces place greater emphasis on disrupting Russian logistics and targeting enemy drone crews, Moscow's advance is likely to continue. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 22 June 2026
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