Kostiantynivka is no longer rear area, now front line — military expert

Pavlo Lakiichuk, the head of Security Programs at the Center for Global Studies Strategy XXI, shared his opinion on Espreso TV.

"Kostiantynivka is no longer the rear, but the front line. We need to understand that Pokrovsk is the key, and Kostiantynivka is the lock to the agglomeration of Kostiantynivka - Druzhkivka - Kramatorsk - Sloviansk. Therefore, the Russians will rush to Kostiantynivka," noted Lakiichuk.

According to the head of security programs at the Center for Global Studies Strategy XXI, the Russian attempt to break through to Kostiantynivka is not only a breakthrough of the highway, but also an access to the rear of our groups defending Toretsk and Chasiv Yar. The success of Russian forces in this direction will lead to the collapse of the front in this area.

"And then we will either have to retreat to avoid being surrounded and thus lose significant territories in the Donetsk region. The defense of Kostyantynivka is an important element of our strategic defense operation. And I think there will be very fierce and prolonged fighting here," added Lakiichuk.

• 188 combat clashes took place on the Russian-Ukrainian front on July 7. In the Pokrovsk sector, the Russian troops attempted to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces' positions 68 times.