Photo: EPA
Russian forces have advanced near the village of Ivanopillia on the outskirts of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region, according to battlefield monitoring project DeepState.
The analysts said Russian troops made gains near the settlement over the past day. On DeepState's interactive map, Ivanopillia is now marked as an area of enemy penetration.
Russia has been attempting to capture Kostiantynivka for more than a year, but its first significant gains around the city came only in early 2026. Ukrainian forces continue to hold key districts despite the expansion of contested "gray zones," while soldiers on the ground describe the situation as increasingly difficult.
Earlier in June, more than 100 Russian troops reportedly infiltrated Kostiantynivka in an effort to establish a foothold for a broader offensive toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Ukrainian forces later said the city remained under their control, noting that Russian infiltration attempts were not unprecedented.
Military personnel have also stressed that Kostiantynivka is not encircled, although constant fighting has turned large parts of the city into a contested gray zone.
