Infiltration by small groups and fighting on the flanks: what is happening near Kostyantynivka

The Russian occupation forces have concentrated about 11,000 troops in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka area and continue to attempt to advance in this direction. The occupiers are trying to penetrate the city in small assault groups, but do not control its territory.

This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Analysts note that the situation remains tense in the Slavyansk direction and in the Kostyantynivka area.

According to ISW, Russian forces have recently made minor advances near Sloviansk. Geolocation footage from June 17 showed Ukrainian troops attacking two Russian vehicles during the occupiers’ offensive on the Siversk-Liman highway.

At the same time, Russian sources claimed that their troops were advancing south of the Liman. However, other reports indicate that Ukrainian forces were conducting counterattacks, including near Drobysheve, north of the Liman.

Separately, analysts paid attention to the situation near Kostyantynivka. According to the Ukrainian military, the Russians are trying to penetrate the city in small groups and operate from different directions.

“Russian groups, consisting of even one soldier, have penetrated into different areas of Kostyantynivka,” the commander of the 19th Army Corps said. At the same time, he stressed that the occupiers do not control any part of the city and are trying to bypass it from the flanks.

There are about 123-125 Russian soldiers in Kostyantynivka itself. The main part of the group remains on the outskirts of the city, where Ukrainian soldiers inflict losses on the enemy during the advance.

ISW also notes that the Russian Defense Ministry continues to spread claims of alleged successes in this area that are not supported by independent data. In some cases, the occupiers are using videos created using artificial intelligence.

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