Konstantinovka and the inexorable march to Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.
Why is the liberation of Konstantinovka so very important and such a very big deal for the eventual and fast approaching expected end of the kinetic part of the SMO? Is it important only for Russia? No, for all of us. Russia needs to get free of this war in order to fully step into its role as a global problem solver in a fast changing world.
FM Lavrov: “Despite the desperate resistance of Western countries, a more just and balanced multipolar model of international development is making its way to replace the era of their global dominance.” Source: Vesti
In Short:
Konstantinovka, Donetsk People’s Republic, has been liberated by units of the Southern Group of Forces.
This success opens a direct road to Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, key strongholds of the Ukrainian defense. The fall of these cities would leave Ukrainian forces without fortified positions, as the next defensible lines are only in Lozovaya (Kharkov region) or Pavlograd (Dnepropetrovsk region).
The liberation of Konstantinovka is described as a titanic achievement, coming three years after the fall of Artemovsk and following the capture of Chasov Yar. Further heavy battles are expected, but Russian forces are now one step closer to liberating the key cities of Donbass.
The head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff, Sergei Rudskoi, gave details of the liberation of Konstantinovka:
▪️ Kyiv had been building defensive positions in Konstantinovka since 2014 and actively reinforcing fortifications after the liberation of Artemivsk
▪️ Konstantinovka was the most fortified and echeloned defense area of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one of the “fortified cities” of Donbass, which received the title of “Hero City of Ukraine” in 2025
▪️ The defense of Konstantinovka consisted of two lines of defense, a total of 150 km of trenches and anti-tank ditches with three rows of barriers and 20 battalion defense areas on dominant heights, covered by minefields
▪️ In the city, the Armed Forces of Ukraine set up more than 80 sections of barriers and over 50 defense nodes, relying on the railway station, a college, factories, schools, and kindergartens
▪️ Konstantinovka was defended by 7 brigades – 45 battalions with a total strength of up to 15,500 people, including the most combat-ready units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
▪️ The Russian military pinned down the Armed Forces of Ukraine with battles for the southeastern and eastern parts of the city, encircled it from the flanks, and cut off the garrison’s supply routes. As a result, the city was liberated, and more than 66 square kilometers of territory came under Russian control
▪️ Kyiv defended Konstantinovka to the last, trying to show that it could stop the advance of the Russian army. As a result, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost about 13,500 people and about 300 units of armored vehicles
▪️ The Russian military is completing the clearing of Konstantinovka of small groups and lone soldiers, who may still be hiding in basements and ruins.
▪️ Russian troops are located in all parts of the city
▪️ At the moment, the Russian Armed Forces are continuing their offensive on Druzhkovka – the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been pushed back several kilometers from Konstantinovka, and battles are taking place on the outskirts of Alekseevo-Druzhkovka
▪️ On the right flank, the “South” and “West” groups of troops are moving towards the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. The “South” group is already 8 km from the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk, and the “West” group is completing the liberation of Red Liman
▪️ The “Center” group has overcome the line that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had been building since 2014 and considered impregnable, and has reached Dobropillia and Annovka.”
https://t.me/RtrDonetsk/36638