Konstantinovka Breakthrough Opens Path for Russian Advance
Russian commander Rusich says breaching Konstantinovka’s first defensive line eased the advance, with fighting now in high-rise areas and the industrial zone.
The breakthrough of the first defensive line in Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic has made it significantly easier for Russian assault units to push deeper into the city. This was stated by the commander of the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment of Russia’s Yug grouping, known by the call sign Rusich, in a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry.
The officer said Ukrainian forces had controlled the approaches to Konstantinovka, making the breach of the first defensive belt the most difficult stage of the operation. After that, Russian troops were able to move further into the settlement, and subsequent actions, according to Rusich, became much easier.
The commander stressed that the entry of Russian forward units into Konstantinovka was the result of coordinated work by everyone involved in the operation, from district-level command to assault troops on the front line.
Rusich said each participant carried out their assigned role, while competent planning by brigade command and an assessment of the enemy played a key part.
At present, he added, his regiment is engaged in the main fighting around the high-rise areas of Konstantinovka. The clashes are taking place in the western, southwestern and northwestern parts of the city.
The officer also pointed to Konstantinovka’s importance for further Russian operations. According to him, the city is a key bridgehead and strongpoint for the liberation of the entire Kramatorsk-Slavyansk agglomeration in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
On June 11, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of the eastern part of Konstantinovka. Fighting is now underway both in the city’s central districts and in the industrial zone.