The military landscape near Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk People’s Republic is shifting rapidly — and not in Ukraine’s favor. According to war correspondent Aleksey Gavrish, Russian troops are making headway from two critical directions: Chasiv Yar and the Klyban-Byk Reservoir.

Gavrish explained that Russian units are pressing in from the west and southeast, creating a pincer-like movement that places Ukrainian forces in a precarious position. He noted that this dual-pronged push significantly raises the risk of encirclement — what military strategists often call a «cauldron.»

Another potential axis of advance, Gavrish added, leads toward Druzhkivka. Should Russian troops establish a presence in that area, it would effectively squeeze Kostyantynivka from multiple sides, severely limiting Ukrainian maneuverability and resupply.

This assessment, he said, stems from a close reading of the current battlefield map. However, he cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. While the configuration hints at the possibility of an operational encirclement, he believes it’s too early to call it definitive.

In parallel with these developments, reports have emerged suggesting that Ukrainian command has begun relocating its officer corps out of Kostyantynivka. Russian security sources claim Kyiv intends to manage the city’s remaining units remotely — a shift that underscores the mounting pressure in the area.