Russian forces have intensified ground operations and infiltration attempts toward Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast as part of their broader eastern front offensive, recently securing positions in nearby Novodmytrivka and closing to within roughly one kilometer of the city’s southern outskirts. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported ongoing counter-sabotage measures and successful repels of Russian efforts to establish footholds inside the city limits, while battlefield mapping indicates interspersed positions that complicate rapid advances. These developments reflect Russia’s tactical push to encircle or isolate the stronghold within the so-called fortress belt, yet Ukrainian forces continue to hold key defensive lines amid heavy drone and artillery exchanges. The pace of incremental Russian gains amid high attrition costs shapes trader assessments of whether full capture can occur before any specified resolution deadline, with upcoming seasonal offensive cycles and Ukrainian reinforcement patterns remaining key variables.