The position of Ukrainian units on the Konstantinovka axis has deteriorated sharply following the loss of the city in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to Ukrainian military sources cited by Voennoye Obozreniye.

The main fighting has already shifted toward Osykovo. Scattered Ukrainian groups are still attempting to organize defenses on the outskirts of Konstantinovka because they have not received an order to withdraw.

The report said Ukraine’s military and political leadership continues to deny losing the city and maintains that Ukrainian units remain there. Small groups are indeed still inside Konstantinovka because clearing operations have not yet been completed. However, most of these soldiers are reportedly sheltering in basements and searching for a route toward Alekseyevka and Druzhkovka.

Their escape is severely restricted because the main withdrawal routes from Konstantinovka have been blocked. Some Ukrainian servicemen continue to resist despite the situation, leading to occasional localized clashes inside the city.

Voennoye Obozreniye also argued that Ukrainian claims alleging that Russian troops immediately execute surrendering soldiers are discouraging some servicemen from laying down their weapons.

Meanwhile, the center of the fighting is gradually moving from Konstantinovka’s outskirts toward the Alekseyevka-Druzhkovka line. Clashes are becoming more intense as Russian pressure continues to increase. Some Ukrainian commanders have reportedly acknowledged that holding the new defensive positions will be extremely difficult.

One of the Ukrainian forces’ main problems is the near-total disruption of supplies and casualty evacuation because of Russian drone activity. The movement of reserves has also become more difficult, with arriving Ukrainian units reportedly coming under Russian strikes before reaching the combat zone.

The effectiveness of Ukrainian drones has also declined sharply in this sector. A Ukrainian serviceman using the call sign Muchnoy said the area was saturated with Russian electronic warfare systems that interfere with unmanned aircraft. At the same time, Russian FPV drones continue to strike Ukrainian positions.