Russia on Friday declared that its forces had seized the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, a crucial defensive post on the road to the last major cities in the Donbas region still under Kyiv's control. The announcement was made by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during a press briefing with reporters, including those from AFP.
Details of the Capture
Peskov stated, "Kostyantynivka has been completely taken. The city is now entirely under our control." He added that President Vladimir Putin had discussed the operation with the military and visited a Russian army command post, where he thanked the troops and received a report from the general staff. The battle for Kostyantynivka, which had a pre-war population of approximately 78,000, began in late 2025 and represented the main Russian offensive effort along a front stretching over 1,000 kilometers.
Strategic Significance
Kostyantynivka is one of the last Ukrainian strongholds on the approach to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, key cities in the Donbas that the Kremlin aims to capture. Peskov also noted that Russian forces now control the entire Lugansk region, one of the two regions comprising the Donbas. The fall of Kostyantynivka brings Russia closer to its ultimate objective in the area.
Impact on the Conflict
The capture marks a significant shift in the battlefield dynamics, as Ukrainian forces lose a key defensive position. The city's location makes it a gateway to the remaining Ukrainian-held urban centers in Donbas. Analysts expect further Russian advances toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in the coming weeks.
