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.
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average temps will be in the low 20°s in eastern ukraine for the next few weeks.
more strikes on infrastructure please.
well king charles and the pope could have ended the war in my opinion but didn’t..