Russia on Friday (July 3) announced that it had captured the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, describing it as one of its biggest battlefield gains in recent months. If confirmed, the development would move Russian forces closer to some of Ukraine's last major strongholds in the Donbas region. Before the war, Kostyantynivka had a population of around 78,000 and has witnessed heavy fighting since late 2025.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian forces had taken complete control of the city. "Kostyantynivka has been completely taken. The city is now entirely under our control," Peskov told reporters. Soon after the announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on television and praised the military for its success. He described the capture as a victory of "major strategic importance."

Kostyantynivka holds great military value in eastern Ukraine. The city stands on an important route that leads to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, two of the most significant Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donbas region. Military experts have long viewed these cities as Russia's main targets in its campaign to gain full control of eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces have spent several months trying to break through Ukrainian defensive positions around Kostyantynivka. The city served as a key gateway to the remaining Ukrainian-held areas in the east. Its reported capture could allow Russian troops to push further into the Donetsk region and strengthen their position for future operations.

Appearing in military uniform alongside senior commanders, Putin said Russian forces continued to maintain control of the battlefield. "The Russian armed forces continue to firmly maintain the strategic initiative," he said.

Russian officials also said Putin visited a military command post before making the public announcement. During the visit, he received updates from the General Staff about the latest developments on the battlefield.

Russian commander Anton Grunis said military operations were still underway inside Kostyantynivka. According to him, Russian troops were carrying out "search and elimination operations" against Ukrainian soldiers who were believed to be hiding in damaged buildings, basements and other ruined structures across the city.

Along with the announcement about Kostyantynivka, Russia also claimed fresh gains in other parts of Ukraine. Peskov said Russian forces now control the entire Lugansk region. Lugansk is one of the two regions that together form the Donbas, which has remained the main focus of the conflict for a long time.

Russia also claimed that its military had made advances on other fronts. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Russian troops were now only nine kilometres away from Zaporizhzhia. The city was one of southern Ukraine's largest urban centres before the war and had a population of more than 700,000.

Another Russian commander said troops had reached a position around 10 kilometres from Sumy, a major city in northern Ukraine located close to the Russian border. The commander suggested that Russian forces were continuing to advance in that direction.

The latest claims from Moscow could not be independently verified. Ukraine has not confirmed Russia's announcement regarding the capture of Kostyantynivka or the reported advances near Zaporizhzhia and Sumy.

The reported capture of Kostyantynivka marks a significant moment in Russia's campaign in eastern Ukraine. The city has remained a major battlefield for months and has played an important role in Ukraine's defensive line. If Russia's claim proves accurate, it could increase pressure on Ukrainian forces defending Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, which remain among Kyiv's most important positions in the Donbas region.