Russian general who reported Kostiantynivka's 'capture' to Putin dies
Photo: Anton Grunis, Russian major general (Russian media)
Russian Major General Anton Grunis died on September 16, shortly after reporting to dictator Vladimir Putin about the alleged “capture” of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. Apti Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces and commander of the Akhmat special forces unit, announced the death
“...the commander of the 4th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, Guards Major General Anton Grunis (call sign Grozny) has departed this world,” Alaudinov wrote.
It is worth noting that Grunis was awarded the title of “Hero of Russia” just a few weeks ago.
Information about his death was also shared by Russian Z-patriot channels and the community of graduates of the military academy he attended.
The exact circumstances and location of Grunis’ death have not been disclosed.
In early July, the same major general reported to Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had allegedly “captured” Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. He was awarded the title of Hero of Russia afterward.
What is actually happening in Kostiantynivka
As of September 16, 2026, the Donetsk city remains an active combat zone and is not fully under Russian control.
According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian forces carried out 18 attacks in the Kostiantynivka sector over the previous day. Russian troops launched assaults near Kostiantynivka and Illinivka, as well as toward Osykove, Mykolaipillia, Novohryhorivka and Dovha Balka.
Ukrainian troops previously reported that Russian units were attempting to enter the city through its flanks. Some Russian groups have already entered Kostiantynivka, but Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions in the southern, central and northern parts of the city and are engaged in fighting there. Ukrainian officials describe the situation as extremely difficult.
At the same time, estimates of the share of the city under Russian control vary significantly. French OSINT analyst Clément Molin estimated Russian control at around 50%, while the DeepState map as of early September showed only a small area of the city under Russian control, with a large part marked as a “gray zone.”
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported which areas Ukrainian forces had managed to advance in over the previous several days.
New details have also emerged about the Ukrainian offensive in the Donetsk region.
