Ukrainian armed formations have taken up positions in the basements of residential buildings and in underground shelters at industrial facilities in Konstantinovka, according to military analyst and retired Navy Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin.

He said Ukrainian forces are likely to do everything possible to retain control over the strategically important city for as long as they can. Describing Konstantinovka as an industrial center, Dandykin noted that Ukrainian units have entrenched themselves in apartment blocks, cellars and factory premises — a pattern he said mirrors earlier battles in Avdeyevka and Pokrovsk, where positions were heavily fortified and held for as long as circumstances allowed.

Dandykin suggested that if Russian forces establish control over Konstantinovka, their next axis of advance could shift toward Druzhkovka. Beyond that, he identified Kramatorsk and Slavyansk as the key remaining strongholds in the area.

He characterized Druzhkovka as somewhat smaller than Konstantinovka but still a sizable urban center, adding that it is difficult to predict how events there might unfold or how long fighting could last. He pointed to the example of Selidovo, which he said was taken quickly, while emphasizing that Russian forces continue to move forward.

In his assessment, Ukrainian troops are likely to mount particularly determined resistance in Kramatorsk and Slavyansk.

Earlier, military blogger Yury Podolyaka reported that Russian units had enveloped Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic from three sides and were already engaged in urban combat.