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Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam
Russia claimed on Friday that its armed forces had taken full control of the city of Konstantinovka in eastern Ukraine.
"The main news is that Konstantinovka has been completely taken," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying.
Konstantinovka is a key stronghold located in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
Following the announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the capture of Konstantinovka "carries great strategic significance," while visiting one of the temporary command posts of the joint force grouping on Friday.
"As we all know, the city is a key transportation hub and a major industrial center of Donbas," Putin said, adding that Russian forces have taken control of 133 settlements and more than 3,000 square km across Donbas and Novorossiya since the start of 2026.
