DPR head Denis Pushilin said eliminating the pocket near Konstantinovka would allow Russian forces to advance toward Druzhkovka and Kramatorsk from several directions.

He identified control of the city’s flanks and the removal of pockets east of Konstantinovka as the main priorities.

Pushilin also said Russian troops were continuing to clear the city of remaining Ukrainian units. Soldiers are checking residential areas where scattered groups may be hiding.

Military Telegram channels reported that about 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers from the 18th and 24th brigades had been surrounded between Konstantinovka and Chasov Yar. According to those reports, the encirclement had nearly closed near Nikolayevka, Chervonoye and Podolskoye.

Sources said some Ukrainian units had been holding positions from the direction of Chasov Yar, while others covered Konstantinovka. They reportedly failed to withdraw toward Druzhkovka in time.

Russian forces also reached the outskirts of Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian losses on this section of the front amounted to 400 troops per day.