Russian forces push into key Donbas city; Ukrainian soldiers say its fall is a matter of time

Russian forces have infiltrated the strategic eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, attempting to encircle it and turning the area into a contested "gray zone" with no clear control, according to Ukrainian soldiers speaking to the BBC.

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They are getting behind us, and in urban conditions, it is extremely difficult to dislodge them.

The city is considered a gateway to the rest of the Donbas region. If Kostiantynivka falls, Russian troops could advance toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, the last Ukrainian strongholds in the east, moving closer to Russia's key goal of fully capturing Donbas.

This Russian advance follows months of stalemate on the front lines. Ukrainian commanders had previously claimed to have regained more territory than lost this year, disrupting key Moscow supply lines. Recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries and fuel shortages in Crimea were also aimed at diverting Russian attention.

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The situation is under control.

Conflicting reports describe the situation on the ground. While Moscow claims its forces are rapidly advancing and encircling Ukrainian units, Kyiv denies this. Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, responsible for the city's defense, insists the situation is under control, though he acknowledges around 130 Russian soldiers are in the city.

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I still have clearing groups and assault groups inside the city, but the Russians are managing to accumulate more and more soldiers there.

However, Ukrainian soldiers on the ground paint a grimmer picture. "They are getting behind us, and in urban conditions, it is extremely difficult to dislodge them," said one anonymous Ukrainian drone pilot. An anonymous Ukrainian officer within the city described the situation as far more serious than publicly acknowledged, noting that while assault groups are still operating, Russians are accumulating more troops. Urban combat and drone warfare are key features, with each building serving as potential cover. Russian drone pilots are targeting Ukrainian launch positions, while Ukrainian pilots focus on Russian infantry. The officer explained that the Russian ability to operate freely, identify Ukrainian positions, and force withdrawals is shifting the front line.

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Since we spend little time searching for and targeting enemy pilots, they can operate freely, discover our positions, and we are forced to withdraw. That's how the front line moves.