Intense fighting as Russian forces breach Kostiantynivka in Donetsk

Russian troops have intensified attacks on Kostiantynivka, a key "city‑fortress" in the Donetsk region, infiltrating large parts of the city. Ukrainian military sources describe fierce fighting, with some units possibly surrounded and the city already considered lost by frontline soldiers. President Vladimir Putin has called the town crucial for "liberating the entire" region.

Ukrainian commanders warn that Russian forces are advancing toward the nearby villages of Molocharka and Izhivka, threatening to encircle Ukrainian units within a month or two unless reinforcements arrive. Estimates cite about 145 Russian infiltrators, heavy use of drones, and significant casualties on both sides. The battle is viewed as pivotal for the southern approach to Ukraine's defensive line in Donetsk.