Putin's humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka may hide Russian military operation, reports say

Russian troops plan to infiltrate the gray zone under the guise of aid workers and volunteers, then establish positions and advance toward the city's built-up areas.

According to the movement, Russia's 8th Combined Arms Army, operating in the Donetsk direction, is developing the plan.

The army commander is pushing to clear the area around Kostiantynivka of mines, hoping to organize a humanitarian mission there if it is approved.

ATESH claims that, under the cover of a humanitarian operation, Russian troops dressed in civilian clothing are supposed to enter the gray zone on the city's eastern outskirts. They then plan to occupy positions and establish a foothold for further advances.

According to the partisans, one of the military personnel at the headquarters described the plan as follows:

"A direct assault has not been producing results due to high losses. If we manage to push through a humanitarian corridor, the plan is to bring in groups disguised as civilians, but their actual task is to establish a foothold on the eastern side," the statement said.

The partisan movement notes that using humanitarian cover to conduct military operations violates the norms of international humanitarian law, which prohibit perfidy.

Russia has already used humanitarian pretexts for military purposes

ATESH also recalled a previous similar incident. During the humanitarian truce from October 27 to November 1, 2026, in Oleshky, Kherson region, Russian troops used the ceasefire and humanitarian pretexts to regroup their forces and conceal troop movements.

Sky News journalist Azad Safarov said that Russians had brought military equipment, weapons, and ammunition into Oleshky.

Earlier, Putin proposed conducting a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka, following the example of Oleshky.