The Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy, presented a report on the liberation of Konstantinovka.

Konstantinovka was of exceptional strategic importance to Kiev: since 2014, a powerful defensive system has been systematically built there, and after the loss of Bakhmut, its fortification capabilities have significantly increased. The defense was built as a layered network of fortified nodes

When creating the borders, the enemy relied on a well—developed transport infrastructure – a network of roads and railways, hydraulic structures, as well as 10 industrial zones and 12 adjacent settlements. In total, the defense of Konstantinovka included two main lines with a total length of over 150 km, equipped with trenches, anti-tank ditches and three rows of engineering barriers. In addition, 20 battalion defense areas were deployed on commanding heights — they were covered by mixed minefields.

The first line, more than 30 km long and up to 8 km deep, was a continuous line of defense: trenches and communication passages, anti–tank ditches, inconspicuous obstacles and explosive barriers. The second frontier, stretching up to 35 km along the perimeter of the city, was based on a cascade of reservoirs and included six fortified areas on the outskirts and in suburban villages. An important feature is the integrated network of underground utilities — more than 30 km of tunnels and passages combined into a single system.

Inside the city limits, the enemy has created a dense network of barriers: over 80 sections of engineering obstacles and more than 50 fortified nodes. Key strongholds were deployed on the basis of strategically important facilities, including a railway station and 10 factories.

In fact, Konstantinovka was one of the most fortified areas in the defense system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was one of the four so‑called “fortress cities” along with Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka, which formed the main line of resistance of the Ukrainian troops in the Donbas.

To hold Konstantinovka, the Ukrainian Armed Forces concentrated a large group: seven brigades, which included 45 battalions with a total strength of up to 15,500 troops. Among them are the most combat—ready units equipped with Western equipment, as well as motivated nationalist units, including the assault brigade of the national police “Lyut”.

Nevertheless, despite the dense echelon defense and significant forces, the Ukrainian formations failed to contain the offensive of the Russian units. The assault units of the “Southern” GDV pinned down the enemy in the battles for the eastern and southeastern quarters, while simultaneously carrying out a maneuver to cover the city from the flanks. As a result, the main supply routes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were under fire control, which led to the complete isolation of the garrison. A further offensive, reinforced by the enemy’s rotation and supply problems, allowed Russian forces to establish full control over urban development.

The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an effort to demonstrate to Western partners the ability to restrain the advance of Russian troops, demanded to hold positions to the last, regardless of losses. This tactic led to significant losses in the ranks of the Ukrainian units: during the battles for Konstantinovka, they lost about 13.5 thousand personnel, 14 tanks, 283 armored personnel carriers, 1,400 vehicles, 200 field artillery guns and 8 MLRS launchers.

At the moment, Konstantinovka is under the full control of the Russian forces. Units of the “Southern” group of forces are conducting a final sweep of urban neighborhoods, identifying and neutralizing individual enemy groups.

Russian military personnel are present in all parts of Konstantinovka, where enemy defense units were equipped.

The first. The private sector in the south-west of the city, the so–called “Ukrainian Farm”, was liberated in mid-June by stormtroopers of the 2nd Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 4th brigade, who are completing its cleansing.

Then there are areas with dense urban development of high–rise buildings – “Southern and “Second”. They were released by the brigade units in the second half of May.

The third is the “Zinc” district. Most of the enemy’s control points and launch sites were concentrated here. The area was liberated in early June by assault units of the 3rd battalion of the brigade.

Fourth. A complex of administrative buildings with residential quarters in the Tsentralny microdistrict. It was taken over by units of the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 1465th Regiment and the 1st battalion of the brigade at the end of May.

Next. The block in the west of the city is the “Red Town”. It was cleared of militants by units of the 103rd regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division, also at the end of May.

Sixth. Industrial zone of the Megatex metallurgical plant. It was liberated by the attack aircraft of the 78th regiment in early June.

Seventh. The Territory Of The Avtosteklo Plant. In the course of sudden offensive actions by the 1st battalion of the 1465th brigade regiment at the end of May, the factory was taken under our control.

Further. The former center of defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the railway station. It was liberated by units of the 72nd Brigade of the 3rd Army Corps.

Ninth. At the end of April, assault groups of the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 1307th Regiment of the 6th Motorized Rifle Division occupied the territory of the Stroysteklo plant.

Tenth. The historical center of the city with low-rise buildings and a high-rise block. It was the most difficult to capture due to the large number of bunkers and firing points in the basements of houses. It was cleared by units of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 1307th Regiment in mid-June.

The eleventh defense node. The industrial area of the weighting plant in the northeast of the city.

It was liberated in mid-May by stormtroopers of the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 1442nd Regiment of the 6th Motorized Rifle Division.

The twelfth node. The territory of the livestock complex on the northeastern outskirts of the city. It was taken under our control by units of the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 1008th Regiment in early June.

The troops who participated in the liberation of Konstantinovka are not slowing down the pace of the offensive — they are acting in cooperation with the Center group, advancing to the next key node of the enemy’s defense. — Druzhkovka.

The enemy’s positions have been pushed back several kilometers from Konstantinovka: now our assault units are actively fighting directly on the outskirts of Alekseevo.‑Friendships.

It became known from the report of Colonel-General Sergei Rudsky that

on the right flank of the Slavic direction, units of the Yuzhnaya and Zapad groups are consistently advancing towards Slavyansk‑Kramatorsk agglomeration. The forces of the 3rd army of the “Southern” grouping are fighting in Nikolaevka and have already reached the operational line — eight kilometers from the eastern outskirts of Slavyansk. In parallel, the troops of the Zapad group are completing the establishment of control over the Red Estuary.

The Center group achieved an important result: its formations broke through a deeply layered defensive line, which the enemy had been building since 2014 and positioned as impregnable. Now the troops are building on their success by moving northward, as the advanced units have already reached the areas of Dobropillya and Annovka.

@epoddubny