Moscow: Russia has announced that its military forces have successfully captured the town of Kostiantynivka, a strategic location in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region. This development was disclosed during a meeting involving top Russian military commanders and President Vladimir Putin at an undisclosed command center overseeing Russian operations in Ukraine.
According to Thai News Agency, the town of Kostenyivka, considered a crucial stronghold in Ukraine's eastern fortified front, has long been a target for Russian forces. President Putin had previously indicated that Russian forces were nearing the capture of the city. Before the conflict, Kostiantynivka had a population of nearly 70,000, but that number has dwindled to about 2,000 due to ongoing hostilities.
The capture of Kostiantynivka is seen as a significant strategic gain for Russia, as it provides a critical base for further advances along the fortified line in the north. President Putin has emphasized the importance of controlling the entire Donetsk region, which remains a key objective in Russia's military campaign. Despite these advances, approximately one-fifth of the Donetsk region is still under Ukrainian control after more than four years of conflict.