Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka and Shevchenko in Donetsk, Ukraine

Russian military officials announced that forces have taken control of Kostiantynivka, a key transport and industrial centre in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, during a briefing to President Vladimir Putin on 3 July 2026. General Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s General Staff, described the city as a strategic defensive hub.

In a separate statement, the Russian Defence Ministry reported the capture of the village of Shevchenko, located about three kilometres southwest of Pokrovsk, adding to recent gains announced after the December seizure of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on either claim, and independent verification remains limited.

Both announcements are part of Russia’s broader push to consolidate positions in the Donetsk area, a focal point of the ongoing conflict.