Russian army intends to reach Kostiantynivka, fighting continues - Ukrainian major

Retired National Guard Major Oleksii Hetman expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

"The Russians have plans. Their goal is to reach Kostiantynivka. This is a railroad that we are actively using like any army during the war. That is why the fight for this city continues. We'll see if the invaders manage to get there. The distance from Chasiv Yar is about 15 kilometers, from Toretsk and Pokrovsk directions - 20-25 kilometers each, which is a relatively short distance. But given the way the Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the defense there and realize that it is an important object for defense, I think they will be able to stop the enemy's offensive," he said.

It is extremely unprofitable for Ukraine to lose Kostiantynivka. However, everything depends on the following factors: "On the part of the Russians, it's a question of how many forces and means they can bring there. On our part, it is the weapons that our partners should give us, the fortifications that should have already been built, and the people who should be involved in the Armed Forces," says Hetman.

The mobilization component is extremely important, because the Russians have an advantage in numbers, he added.

"Some Ukrainian units that are holding the line are not 100% manned. Therefore, the mobilization component is extremely important. The Russians are constantly replacing the advancing groups. We, on the other hand, are holding the line with only one person. We have fewer people and not as many opportunities. The Russians are getting stronger, mobilizing," said the National Guard reserve major.

• On June 23, the Ukrainian non-governmental OSINT project DeepState said that the Russian army had completely occupied the village of Novooleksandrivka in the Donetsk region. The Russians are moving on the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway. However, the military denied the information about the complete capture of the village by the Russians.