Ukrainian military officials say Russian forces are making slow but steady advances toward Kostiantynivka, a key defensive hub in the Donetsk region.

According to Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian troops are attempting to establish a foothold near the city’s outskirts using infiltration tactics. Ukrainian forces are actively countering these efforts, with ongoing operations to prevent sabotage inside the city.

Kostiantynivka is part of Ukraine’s “fortress belt,” a heavily fortified defensive line in the east. Despite these defenses, battlefield maps from DeepState show Russian forces are now positioned roughly one kilometer from the southern outskirts.

Some southeastern areas of the city have been classified as “gray zones,” meaning control remains contested between both sides.

Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from territories in Donetsk and Luhansk that it has not fully captured. Peace talks mediated in part by the United States have stalled over this issue, with Ukrainian officials rejecting any territorial concessions.

Over recent years, Russian forces have struggled to capture major cities, instead advancing gradually and taking control of smaller towns, mostly in eastern Ukraine.