File image.
On December 23 and 24, the Russian military stormed the key city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk from a new direction, and made gains in three nearby areas, mounting more pressure on Kiev forces there.
The Yug [South] Group of Forces stormed the eastern part of Kostiantynivka after breaking through a Ukrainian defense line in the city’s outskirts. Russian troops advanced from their positions to the north of Predtechyne, to the east of the city, along a tree line before storming Sportyvna street. The troops captured a large residential area along the street, securing a presence there.
Before this bold breakthrough, the Yug Group of Forces was only operating in the southern part of Kostiantynivka. Now, Ukrainian troops fighting in a large area in the southeastern part of the city to the east of the railway are facing the threat of encirclement.
Meanwhile to the south of Kostiantynivka, the Yug Group of Forces expanded its control by securing some four square kilometers to the west of Plescheevka. Russian troops advanced mainly in forested areas along the northern bank of the Kleban-Byk reservoir.
The Yug Group of Forces also made gains to the west of the city, advancing towards Stepanovka, and securing 2,1 square kilometers in the process.
An even larger push by the Yug Group of Forces was reported to the northeast of Kostiantynivka. Russian troops stormed the southeastern part of Minkovka, and advanced in the outskirts of Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, securing at least 7,1 square kilometers.
The recent advance was facilitated by intense air and artillery strikes. The operations of the drone units of the Yug Group of Forces were even more damaging to Kiev forces in Kostiantynivka and its surroundings.
In fact, one recent drone attack inside the city killed the deputy head of the Second Directorate of the Main Intelligence Directorate, and acting head of the Operational Management Department of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk.
The situation in Kostiantynivka is not yet critical for Kiev forces. The large industrial city has many high-rise buildings, factories and other structures that favors the defenders. However, it is clear that Kiev is running low on troops there, like in every other direction, and the situation is slowly, but surely, deteriorating.
Another breakthrough inside the city could cause serious problems for Ukrainian troops. Even worse would be a breakthrough to the north that isolates the city.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
average temps will be in the low 20°s in eastern ukraine for the next few weeks.
more strikes on infrastructure please.
nice try at appearing to be pro russian. but again as always just too obviously you ramses.
not worth a shekek jennings.
well king charles and the pope could have ended the war in my opinion but didn’t..
course they could have. for a start king chatles could have not offered to support ukraine for 100 years and the pope could have suggested zelensky accept the deal. although why a monarchist is interested in supporting the allegedly nazi ukrainian is mysterious as monarchists would usually consider socialists unattractive companions and what a jews doing seeking approval from a catholic king of kings is beyond my logical aptitudes to fathom.
allegedly.
only the best for our good old partners in nato, merry christmas to them, they couldn’t come home because they were too busy having their frozen butts shot off in dark ukraine.
which partners? those for or against?who’s not home, some mercenaries from south america?