Russian fighters have begun combat operations aimed at taking control of the settlement of Popasnoye near Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Military expert Andrey Marochko reported this to TASS.

According to him, Russian forces managed to push Ukrainian armed formations out of their positions south of Verolyubovka and then moved to start operations to liberate Popasnoye.

Marochko also said that northwest of Verolyubovka, units of the Russian Armed Forces advanced into the rear of Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian forces, he noted, have taken up defensive positions on strategic high ground in an attempt to slow the Russian advance coming from the direction of Mayskoye.

Over the past week, Russian troops have improved their tactical positions around Konstantinovka and increased pressure on Ukrainian units on the city’s northeastern and southeastern approaches.

Marochko added that the humanitarian situation inside Konstantinovka remains extremely difficult. Civilians who remain in the city are effectively cut off from basic services. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are placing military equipment and weapons in residential buildings and setting up temporary deployment points in areas where civilians are present.