Kosťantynivka battle continues as Ukraine denies Russian capture

Russian officials claimed to have seized the Donetsk‑region town of Kosťantynivka, calling the alleged takeover a major strategic success. Ukrainian forces rejected the claim, with the 19th Army unit stating, “Kosťantynivka remains under the control of the Defense Forces of Ukraine,” and posting video evidence of troops defending several city sectors. Heavy fighting persists across the town, with Russian infantry, drones and artillery attempting to consolidate positions while Ukrainian infantry, drones and air strikes target occupied buildings and supply routes. Both sides report high casualties and expect the combat to last for weeks, with analysts saying the battle could continue into August.

The Kremlin’s narrative has been questioned by independent observers, who note that Russian units have only managed limited penetrations and have not achieved full control. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labelled Putin’s statements as false and challenged him to visit the contested area. The ongoing clash highlights the contested supply corridors linking Kosťantynivka to northern Ukrainian towns, making the town a focal point of the wider front.