UK Says Russia Holds Half of Kostiantynivka, Disputing Moscow's Full-Capture Claim
Updated
Updated · Defense Express · Jul 11
UK Says Russia Holds Half of Kostiantynivka, Disputing Moscow's Full-Capture Claim
2 articles · Updated · Defense Express · Jul 11
Summary
UK Defence Intelligence said Russian forces likely control only a little over half of Kostiantynivka, rejecting Valery Gerasimov's July 3 report to Vladimir Putin that the city had been fully captured.
Open-source sightings of Russian flags on the city's northern edge were assessed as small infiltration groups rather than proof of consolidated control, a tactic Britain said Moscow has used before in Kupiansk and Siversk.
Ukraine is still likely defending Kostiantynivka, the UK said, preventing Russia from securing the entire urban center despite an assault that began in summer 2025.
Kostiantynivka is a key node in Donetsk's fortress belt; if Russia takes it, it could support attacks on Druzhkivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, though Britain said those fortified cities would still be costly to assault.