Russian troops have entered the grounds of a chemical plant in Konstantinovka, where Ukrainian units had set up fortified positions inside the site’s underground utility network, Oleg Ivannikov, an adviser to the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences, candidate of historical sciences and retired lieutenant colonel, told aif.ru.

According to Ivannikov, the plant was built during the Soviet period and was once a key enterprise for the city. Facilities of that kind were constructed with safety requirements in mind, including bomb shelters, bunkers and an extensive system of underground communications. He said Ukrainian forces used that infrastructure to create strongpoints on the plant’s territory.

Ivannikov said Ukrainian troops had tried to turn the industrial site into a fortified stronghold. A group of French fortification specialists had visited the plant, and under their guidance the facility was effectively converted into a fortress.

The situation was made more difficult by the presence of hazardous chemical substances at the enterprise. Ivannikov said tanks containing chlorine and other substances used in the region’s industry were still located on the site, making it especially difficult to drive Ukrainian units out of the underground premises.

He said Russian servicemen had accomplished an act worthy of high military honors by taking control of the enterprise.

Earlier, military correspondent Yury Kotenok reported that units of the Yug group of forces were continuing their offensive in Konstantinovka and the surrounding area. According to him, in the central part of the city, Russian forces are advancing from Ilyinovka across the Krivoy Torets River, moving through the industrial zone of the former chemical plant and the territory of Glaskomerts LLC toward Lenin Street.