Threat to the Surrounding of Donetsk Region: Russians are Trying to Encircle Kostiantynivka from Three Sides
Intense fighting continues in the eastern Ukraine war zone over the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka, located in Donetsk Oblast. According to Ukrainian military sources, Russian occupation forces are making significant efforts to encircle Ukrainian positions and take control of the city. Clashes are ongoing in several directions, but the situation has become particularly tense on the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy is attempting to advance towards Kostiantynivka along the Pokrovsk – Kostiantynivka highway. This was reported in a telethon broadcast by Viktor Tregubov, spokesperson for the operational-strategic group of troops "Khortytsia". He stated that the Russians have long been conducting offensive actions from three main directions, aiming to encircle and control the city. "For over a year and a half, the enemy has not ceased efforts to capture Kostiantynivka — from Toretsk, from Kramatorsk, and since the breakthroughs near Chasiv Yar. However, all their attempts have ended in failure," Tregubov emphasized. Currently, the situation has shifted towards increased Russian effort specifically on the Pokrovsk front, where the enemy is trying to push further along the highway to create a corridor for encirclement and complete takeover of the city. "The largest forces of the Russian side are concentrated in this direction. In response, Ukrainian troops are exerting maximum efforts to hold back the enemy, conducting devastating counterattacks and defending key objects," Tregubov reports. Overall, the situation remains very tense. Ukrainian defenders are preventing the enemy from breaking through the defenses and are trying to maintain control over the city, while Russian forces are aiming to break through the frontline and secure the area around Kostiantynivka. Both sides are focused on the hottest spots, particularly near strategic roads and settlements in the surrounding area. The local situation remains unstable, and the fighting is intensified, with a high risk of encirclement of Ukrainian troops. According to sources, the most intense fighting currently occurs on the approaches to the city from Pokrovsk, where the enemy is attempting to break Ukrainian resistance and encircle Kostiantynivka. For now, Ukrainian defenders are holding the line and making every effort to resolve the situation and preserve control over key objects.