Russian attempt to encircle Kostiantynivka has failed, Ukrainian commander says

A Ukrainian armed forces commander has stated that Russia's attempt to encircle the city of Kostiantynivka using a two-pronged pincer movement has failed. According to the commander, one of the planned encirclement arms stalled a year ago, while the other has just been broken near the city.

The commander stressed that Russia's ring around Kostiantynivka will not close. He explained that frontal assaults on fortified cities cost Russian forces far more men and time than it would have taken to close an encirclement ring behind the defenders.

Context

Kostiantynivka is one of several strategically important cities in Donetsk region that Russian forces have long tried to encircle. The purpose of such a maneuver is typically to force defenders to withdraw or surrender without a prolonged and costly battle for the city itself. Instead, near Kostiantynivka Russian forces have also turned to frontal attacks, which, according to the commander, come at a greater cost in casualties.

The source text does not provide further detail on exactly how the second pincer arm was broken, nor does it name the specific units involved or give precise dates. The commander's statement nonetheless indicates that the situation near Kostiantynivka remains one of the most active battlefields on Ukraine's eastern front, with both sides continuing to fight for control of the territory around the city.