Russia's summer offensive aims to capture key Ukrainian city — Media
Russian forces advancing in Donetsk region, Ukraine (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces continue their attempts to fully occupy the Donetsk region, with the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka likely being their primary target, according to The Telegraph.
The outlet reports that as part of a planned troop withdrawal from the Kursk region, Ukraine's military command intended to reinforce units in the Donetsk region. However, this regrouping was hindered by the need to defend the Sumy region.
As a result, Russian forces managed to break through the defenses between the cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk, increasing pressure on Kostiantynivka — a key logistical hub.
The Telegraph notes that Kostiantynivka sits at a key junction of road and rail networks and is strategically important for the defense of the Donetsk region.
Losing the city could complicate efforts to supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces and potentially place Kramatorsk within range of Russian heavy rocket artillery — a scenario that Ukrainian officers warn could have catastrophic consequences.
"Given Putin's aim of occupying all of Donetsk, Kostiantynivka is the prime initial target of Russia's summer offensive," the outlet writes.
Unnamed Ukrainian military sources told journalists they acknowledge the possibility of losing Kostiantynivka. However, they said such a loss would not be a disaster, as Russia would likely suffer heavy losses in any urban fighting.
The strategic importance of Kostiantynivka
Last year, military expert Oleksii Hetman, a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war and a retired Major of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, explained in an interview with RBC-Ukraine's YouTube channel that Kostiantynivka is one of Russia's potential targets due to its vital railway junction.
According to him, any army relies primarily on railways for logistics, as they allow for the rapid delivery of large quantities of weapons and other essential supplies.
More details on why Kostiantynivka is strategically important can be found in the full RBC-Ukraine report.
