Russia announced that Konstantinovka has been captured.

Russia's Ministry of Defense announced that the country's forces have taken control of the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Kyiv has not yet responded to this claim. Reuters reported this.

 

According to Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, who reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Southern group of forces is continuing offensive operations aimed at fully capturing the Donetsk region.

 

Gerasimov called Kostiantynivka one of Ukraine's main strongholds on the Sloviansk–Kramatorsk–Kostiantynivka defense line. Putin emphasized that the city is an important transport and industrial center of Donbas and assessed its capture as a strategic achievement.

 

The Russian Ministry of Defense also published videos and photos on its Telegram channel, allegedly taken in Kostiantynivka. They depict military personnel holding Russian flags against the backdrop of destroyed buildings.

 

During the report, Gerasimov stated that Russian forces are also advancing towards the city of Lyman, located in the north of the Donetsk region. He noted that this city holds significant logistical and strategic importance for future military operations.

 

At the meeting, the commander of Russia's northern forces, Yevgeny Nikiforov, said they have not yet been able to fully stop Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. In response, Putin stated that if Ukrainian strikes continue, Russia will further expand security zones in neighboring areas.

 

According to Nikiforov, Russian forces are also advancing in border areas of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions.

 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials have emphasized that Russian offensives on the eastern front have significantly slowed since the beginning of the year, and Ukrainian forces have regained control of some areas. Putin dismissed these statements as an "information campaign."

 

It was also noted that Zelenskyy proposed a direct meeting with Putin last month, but the Kremlin rejected this offer.

 

The process of resuming peace negotiations mediated by the US has been temporarily halted due to the conflict surrounding Iran. Nevertheless, Moscow and Kyiv have stated that they are expecting visits from US special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the coming days.