Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka as Putin Pushes Donetsk Offensive

Russia claimed on Friday that its forces had captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, a move that, if confirmed, would mark a major step in Moscow’s campaign to seize full control of Ukraine’s Donetsk region.

According to Reuters, the announcement came from General Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia’s General Staff, during a briefing with President Vladimir Putin at a military command post overseeing Russia’s operations in Ukraine.

Gerasimov said Russia’s southern group of forces continues advancing across the Donetsk region and described Kostiantynivka as one of Ukraine’s most important defensive positions. The city is part of a fortified network that also includes Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, which have served as key strongholds for Ukrainian forces since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Russia’s Defence Ministry also published videos and images on Telegram that it said showed Russian troops raising Russian flags at multiple locations across the heavily damaged city. While Russian officials have previously claimed control over parts of Kostiantynivka, Friday’s statement marked the first time Moscow declared the city fully under its control.

Ukraine’s military did not immediately respond to the claim, and Reuters said it could not independently verify Russia’s announcement.

Kostiantynivka has been a critical hub in Ukraine’s eastern defense strategy, helping slow Russian advances across the Donetsk region. Its strategic location has made it one of the most fiercely contested cities in eastern Ukraine.

Russia declared the Donetsk region part of its territory in 2022 following widely rejected annexation claims, despite not having full military control of the area. Since then, fighting has remained concentrated in eastern Ukraine as Russian forces continue efforts to capture the remaining Ukrainian-held cities.

If Russia’s claim is verified, the capture of Kostiantynivka would represent a significant battlefield development and could strengthen Moscow’s position in its broader objective of securing the entire Donetsk region, while increasing pressure on nearby Ukrainian defensive lines around Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.