The transfer of Konstantinovka under Russian army control is only a matter of time, according to observers at Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

The publication described the city as the southernmost point of Ukraine’s so-called «ring of fortresses» and noted that it is now on the brink of falling. The authors said Russian troops are gaining control over more and more parts of the city.

Neue Zürcher Zeitung also pointed to footage circulating on social media showing servicemen raising Russian, and in some cases Soviet, flags in the center of Konstantinovka. The outlet believes the battle for the city could end in the near future.

Military channels report that assault units of Russia’s «South» group of forces continue active offensive operations across all directions inside the city. According to these reports, Russian forces are eliminating surrounded Ukrainian groups in the southwestern part of Konstantinovka.

Ukrainian troops are still trying to move small groups toward the northern outskirts, but their logistics routes near Druzhkovka, Alekseevo-Druzhkovka, Osykovo and Kramatorsk are reportedly under fire control from Russian aviation and drone crews.

At the same time, Russian units are continuing small-group attacks near Nakhalovka and are trying to advance toward Novoselovka. Over the past day, Russian forces reportedly cleared 70 buildings.