Russian Troops Seize Konstantinovka as Ukraine Loses Up to 80 Soldiers in 24 Hours
Updated
Updated · malaysiasun.com · Jul 1
Russian Troops Seize Konstantinovka as Ukraine Loses Up to 80 Soldiers in 24 Hours
3 articles · Updated · malaysiasun.com · Jul 1
Summary
Konstantinovka has effectively come under Russian control, with Moscow saying troops are close to finishing a citywide clearing operation against remaining Ukrainian units.
Russian forces advanced from multiple directions, cut the city in half and disrupted Ukrainian defenses in the fortified Slavyansk-Kramatorsk line, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine lost up to 80 troops, more than 20 vehicles, three artillery pieces and 25 ground drones in the city, the ministry said.
Russian drone footage showed FPV strikes on Ukrainian supply robots and artillery fire on soldiers sheltering in a residential house, underscoring the pressure on blocked defenders.
Konstantinovka lies about 15 km southeast of Kramatorsk, making its fall a potential setback for Ukraine's broader defense of northern Donetsk.
With a key fortress fallen, can Ukraine's deep strikes into Russia still turn the tide of the war?
As Russia seizes a key city, will this battlefield reality force a breakthrough in the stalled peace negotiations?
The Battle for Kostyantynivka: Attritional Warfare, Civilian Crisis, and the Information War in Eastern Ukraine, June 2026
Overview
In late spring and June 2026, Russia intensified infiltration missions and reported advances near key areas like Konstantinovka, helped by summer greenery and favorable weather that made drone operations easier for both sides. On the ground, the situation in Kostyantynivka is more critical than officials admit, with Russian forces steadily increasing their presence. Over 2,000 civilians remain trapped in the city, and evacuation is nearly impossible for traditional organizations, making it an extremely difficult place. These developments highlight the growing pressure on Ukrainian defenses and the severe humanitarian challenges in contested urban areas.