Russian Artillery Near Kostiantynivka Quiets as Forces Shift Toward Illinivka–Stepanivka; Ukrainian Troops Clear Two Settlements

Russian artillery activity around Kostiantynivka has dropped markedly this week, according to frontline reports from the Donbas sector.

At the same time, Russian infantry have virtually disappeared from the area near Raiske. Moscow's troops are still trying to advance through small infiltration moves while avoiding direct firefights, but Ukrainian forces say they are intercepting and eliminating most of the groups; any isolated survivors are pulling back on their own because Russian command leaves them without supplies.

Inside Kostiantynivka itself, the intensity of combat and enemy infiltration have eased slightly. Russian command appears to have shifted its focus and is building up forces between Illinivka and Stepanivka. Nevertheless, strikes on Kostiantynivka and Druzhkivka have intensified again, including heavy aerial attacks with glide bombs.

Ukrainian troops also completed the clearance of Osykove and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, destroying the remaining Russian personnel who had slipped into those settlements during earlier probing attempts.