DONBAS BREAKTHROUGH: Putin Hails 'Excellent Result' in Konstantinovka, Warns Security Zone Expands

Russian forces have captured the heavily fortified industrial and logistics hub of Konstantinovka in eastern Ukraine following months of intense, attritional urban combat, potentially unravelling a critical layer of Kyiv's primary defensive line in the Donbas region. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the full operational control of the city, stating that the neutralisation of what was previously considered an impregnable Ukrainian stronghold marks the completion of the first major phase in dismantling the wider Slavyansk-Kramatorsk defensive sector. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the tactical breakthrough by the Southern Group of Forces, asserting that seizing the strategic railway junction opens a direct corridor for further westward advances toward the adjacent fortified strongholds of Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk, and Slavyansk. While Ukrainian military commanders have not formally confirmed the retreat or the total capitulation of the city, Russian assault units are reportedly clearing residual pockets of resistance. Concurrently, Putin issued a stern warning to Kyiv, stating that any subsequent cross-border strikes targeting Russian civilian infrastructure would prompt a matching expansion of Moscow’s planned frontline security buffer zone. #russia #ukraine #donbas #putin #breakingnews #worldnews #konstantinovka #timesnowworld In this Times Now World News report, we break down the this topic: Stay connected with Times Now World for real-time global news and analysis: 🌐 Read full coverage: https://www.timesnownews.com/world 📱 Instagram:   / timesnow.world   🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/TimesNow_World #timesnowworld #worldnews #breakingnews