The slow and costly infiltration of Kostyantynivka

Over the past year, Kostyantynivka has been on the front line of the war, under constant danger of drone attacks as Russian forces have slowly advanced. On July 3, 2026 Russia claimed to have captured Kostyantynivka, but video footage and other evidence indicate it does not have full control.

Notes: “Assessed” means the Institute for the Study of War has received reliable and independently verifiable information to demonstrate Russian control or advances in those areas. Russian advances and infiltrations are areas where Russian forces have operated in, launched attacks or conducted infiltration missions, but they do not control them. “Claimed” areas are where sources have said control or counteroffensives are occurring, but ISW cannot corroborate nor demonstrate them to be false.

Sources: The Institute for the Study of War with AEI’s Critical Threats Project; Open Street Maps

Graphic: Lou Robinson, CNN