Kostiantynivka Direction
The enemy (Russian forces) continues active assault operations to fully capture the Kostiantynivka defense sector of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and to create favorable conditions for further advancement of their forward units and divisions towards the general direction of Kostiantynivka – Druzhkivka.
As of now, the forces (units) of the Russian 8th Combined Arms Army (CAA), 3rd Army Corps (AC), and 70th Motorized Rifle Division (MRD) from the “South” grouping, reinforced by several units and assets from the 51st CAA of the “Center” grouping, have, during the reporting period, managed to achieve somewhat significant tactical results in this direction. However, fierce battles for Kostiantynivka itself and its vicinities continue.
Specifically, Russian forces managed to:
– Using their small infantry (assault) groups in the 3rd AC attack zone, advance towards Novodmytrivka — Molocharka, reach the village of Stinky and the sludge collector lakes to the northeast of the city. This way, they deepened the encirclement from the east not only of Ukrainian positions in Kostiantynivka itself but also of the western positions of forward Ukrainian units west of Chasiv Yar.
– The enemy also managed to break into the northeastern part of the city (area of the local Historical Museum and Central Market). Their assault groups continued enhancing their activity in the eastern and southeastern parts of Kostiantynivka (near the railway station, in the area of Bakhmutska and Ostrovskogo streets).
– In turn, within the zone of advancement of the Russian 8th CAA, its forward assault groups also managed to achieve certain tactical results, advancing from City Hospital No. 1 along Lomonosov Avenue toward middle school No. 32 of the city (although they did not reach it).
– Advanced units of the 8th CAA also managed to capture Illinivka with their main forces and reach Dovhyi Balka. Its forward assault groups are already spotted northwest of Stepanyvka, and they were able to “infiltrate” north of the Dovhyi Balka — Illinivka road and are actively accumulating in the central (western) part of Kostiantynivka. From there, they constantly attempt to advance north (towards Osikove and Mykolaipillia).
– At the same time, the AFU continues to hold positions in the northern and northwestern parts of the city, the interchange and overpass in the area of Yemelianova street, as well as the area of middle school No. 2 and several blocks south of it. In fact, Ukrainian forces currently confidently control only the northern part of the city, having withdrawn the main forces of their forward units from the western (central) and southeastern parts of the city to the eastern bank of the Kryvyi Torets river.
– Moreover, it is likely that individual infantry groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to operate not only in the western (central) and southeastern areas of the city but also to the south of them (up to the northern outskirts of Ivanopil). Obviously, at the same time, they face quite significant difficulties with their supply and support due to the active buildup by the Russian command of its assault infantry in these parts of the city.
Regarding the situation in Kostyantynivka itself, it is worth noting several factors characteristic of the current moment:
– The enemy continues to operate specifically in the flanking areas of the Kostyantynivka district of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, rightly believing that in this way they can significantly complicate the situation of Ukrainian units operating not only directly in the city but also in the adjacent areas. In this sense, the situation with Ukrainian units currently defending to the west of Chasiv Yar is quite indicative.
– In parallel with these actions, the enemy command also gradually but quite persistently increases the number of its assault infantry directly in Kostyantynivka by increasing the number of its assault groups, which in a permanent mode try not only to secure the areas of the city they have already “infiltrated” but also to advance forward. At the same time, the Russian command aims to “lead” as many of its UAV groups into the city as possible.
– However, it should be noted that the enemy has not yet managed to enter most of the city with the main forces of its forward units and subdivisions. In reality, it is precisely the enemy’s assault (small infantry) groups (although in quite large numbers and quite actively) reinforced by separate groups of “drone operators” that are operating in the city.
In this sense, parts and formations of the Russian 8th CAA and 3rd AC, operating directly in the direction of Kostyantynivka, have only managed to occupy Illinivka, a greenhouse farm on the western outskirts of Kostyantynivka, and reach the “Lider” gas station at the entrance to the city from the Pokrovsk side.
– In turn, the Ukrainian units defending directly in the city, although inferior to the enemy in forces and means and also, evidently, unable to significantly “intervene” in the general process of Russian assault infantry buildup within the city, have still not lost the ability to stubbornly and quite effectively hold their positions.
This is evidenced by the fact that although Russian forces, over more than two weeks of fierce fighting, have managed to achieve a series of successful tactical advancements within Kostyantynivka and its outskirts (since our last review on this direction), they are measured in only a few kilometers or even hundreds of meters.
Thus, it can be claimed that, in an operational sense, the battles for the Kostyantynivka defense district of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are likely “significantly prolonged” in time for the enemy (i.e., evidently, they will continue into September). If we look at this issue even more broadly (in the context of the entire hypothetical Russian Slovyansk-Kramatorsk offensive operation), it becomes clear that it also risks, shall we say, “rolling into the fall,” without achieving even its minimal goals and tasks. Especially if we take into account the situation in other adjacent and operationally related directions with the Kostyantynivka direction.
But we will talk about this in more detail either on Friday during a stream with Yana Kholodna or in the next review of the entire Kramatorsk direction.
Photo: Anatolii Stepanov
