According to estimates by the 19th Army Corps, around 123 Russian troops are likely to be present in the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast.
Kostiantynivka on the map. Screenshot: DeepState Посилання скопійовано Add UP as preferred source in Google According to estimates by the 19th Army Corps, there are probably around 123 Russian troops in the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast. Source: Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, Commander of the 19th Army Corps, during the national joint 24/7 newscast on 15 June Quote from Bakulin: "The situation in Kostiantynivka is not critical I can't say this is an easy sector of the front line – nothing is simple for us. There are indeed many challenges. The enemy is not simple either and is determined to achieve its objectives. So yes, it is difficult, but the fight continues. Officially, we are not counting on the outskirts but inside the city itself. I rely on reports from brigade intelligence and my own intelligence units. Based on what we are objectively observing and assessing through multiple intelligence channels, we estimate that there are currently (probably) around 123 enemy personnel in the city. In my personal opinion, that figure could vary by 20-30 troops, as there may be duplicate reports from different intelligence sources. Also, we may have missed some individuals or simply not seen them. So figures of 250 or, as some claim, up to 300 personnel are in my view somewhat exaggerated. That said, I cannot state with absolute certainty that those figures are incorrect, because this is intelligence information, which is always presented with the word 'probably'." Details: Bakulin said the Russians have employed their tactic of infiltrating in small groups – a method they previously refined on the Pokrovsk front. However, he stressed that the defence forces have learned from the mistakes made during operations around Pokrovsk and that the situations in Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka are not identical. Although the Russians are continuing to use infiltration tactics, Ukrainian forces are mounting a strong response. Bakulin recalled that the Russians first established a noticeable presence in Kostiantynivka in November 2025. "Around 50 enemy troops managed to infiltrate at that time, although reports from various sources suggested there were as many as 200. We successfully dealt with that situation in November," the brigadier general said. Bakulin added that the current problem emerged around six weeks ago. "We haven't yet managed to fully remedy it and clear the area to the extent that public concern about the presence of enemy forces in Kostiantynivka subsides. But we are taking the necessary measures. At the moment it would be premature and an exaggeration to say that the enemy controls any part of Kostiantynivka," he emphasised. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !
