This Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Russian forces have taken complete control of Kostiantynivka, a significant Ukrainian city in the Donetsk region known for being a critical defensive stronghold in the Donbas, as reported by the EFE news agency.
Peskov stated, "Kostyantynivka has been fully captured. The city is now entirely under our control," during a press briefing following a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who provided an update on the current frontline situation.
The spokesperson described the city as a fortress that the Ukrainian government had fortified for years, crediting its capture to the "heroism" of Russian soldiers.
The state-run Russian media outlet RT, adhering to the Kremlin's propagandistic narrative, referred to the takeover as a "liberation," which in reality is a military conquest.
Ukraine has not officially confirmed the loss of the city. Its General Staff has only reported ongoing active combat in that area.
Kostiantynivka, home to approximately 78,000 people before the conflict began, is part of the so-called "Fortress Belt," a Ukrainian defensive line developed over more than a decade, which also includes the cities of Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk, and Slaviansk.
The fall of Kostiantynivka opens a pathway towards these latter two cities, which are primary targets of the Russian offensive in the Donbas.
Slow and Steady Progress
The battle for the city started in late 2025, when Russian troops began penetrating its perimeters after capturing Toretsk in August of that year.
The progression was notably sluggish: advancing only about 50 meters daily, which analysts described as one of the slowest advances recorded in any conflict over the past century.
Peskov also mentioned that Putin has directed efforts to ensure the evacuation of civilians still in the area and expressed his "deep gratitude" to the soldiers for their "successful performance."
Wider Implications in the Donbas
Moscow additionally announced on Friday that its forces now have complete control over the Luhansk region, one of the two regions comprising the Donbas.
The day was characterized by cross-attacks on multiple fronts. A Ukrainian strike on a market in Tokmak, a part of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia, resulted in five deaths and 18 injuries.
In the Sumy region, a Russian attack claimed the lives of four individuals, including a mother and her daughter, who was not yet two years old.
This occurred just a day after Russia's most severe assault on Kyiv since the invasion began: in the early hours of Thursday, Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones at the Ukrainian capital, causing at least 25 deaths and over 90 injuries, with 52,000 people seeking refuge in the subway.
The conflict impacts Cuba as well: at least 93 Cuban nationals have died fighting as mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine, with the silent complicity of the Havana regime.
With Kostiantynivka's fall, Russian pressure on Kramatorsk and Slaviansk—the last major Ukrainian strongholds in the western Donbas—intensifies as the conflict progresses in the coming months.
Key Questions About the Conflict in the Donbas
What is the significance of Kostiantynivka in the Donbas conflict?
Kostiantynivka is a strategic city in the Donetsk region, serving as a crucial defensive stronghold for Ukraine. Its capture opens the way for Russian advances towards other key cities like Kramatorsk and Slaviansk.
How has the international community reacted to the situation in Kostiantynivka?
While the article does not specify international reactions, global responses to similar events often include condemnation of military aggression and calls for diplomacy and ceasefire.