Situation in Kostiantynivka is very difficult and requires decisions at strategic and operational levels, Butusov says
The situation in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, remains extremely difficult, as Russian occupiers have deeply enveloped the city from both flanks and infiltrated its built-up areas.
Yurii Butusov, commander of the UAV company of the 23rd Assault Regiment within the National Guard's 2nd Khartiia Corps, said this during a broadcast with journalist Iryna Romaliiska, Censor.NET reports.
Situation in the city and the need for operational decisions by the command
According to him, Ukrainian troops maintain pockets of control in some parts of the city, but most of the built-up area is under enemy control.
"The situation in Kostiantynivka is very difficult because the enemy has long since deeply enveloped the city from both flanks and infiltrated built-up areas across almost its entire extent. We can say that Ukrainian soldiers retain control over approximately a third of the city. In some areas, Ukrainian troops control isolated pockets, but most of the built-up area is under enemy control. So the situation there is difficult and undoubtedly requires decisions at the strategic and operational levels on how to resolve this problem. Our tactical position there is indeed unfavorable right now," the commander said.
Tactical opportunities
At the same time, the serviceman stressed that Russian troops also face numerous unfavorable factors on this section of the front. According to him, the key question is whether the Ukrainian command will take advantage of these tactical opportunities.
"If this is simply going to be heroic sitting tight until the end, as in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, then that is bad tactics and bad strategy. But if there really are further operational decisions and this is part of some broader plan being developed, then that is a different situation. Again, this is the responsibility of Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, the commander of the Center Grouping of Forces, Andrii Biletskyi, and the commander of the 19th Army Corps, Skreda," Butusov added.
Background
- On November 12, during a meeting with the US president's special envoys, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed organizing a "humanitarian mission" in Kostiantynivka, where fighting continues. He said the mission to evacuate people from the city should follow the example of the one conducted in Oleshky, Kherson region.
- Ukraine's Presidential Office said Russia could use the possible "humanitarian mission" in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, proposed by dictator Putin, to rotate its troops.
- The DeepState monitoring project reported that Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, was under the control of Ukraine's Defense Forces. Active fighting for the city continues.
