Russian forces are trying to encircle Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk oblast from the right and left flanks, using small-group infiltration tactics through vegetation and natural cover. Ukrainian military personnel say that the situation in the Kostiantynivka direction remains under control. This was reported on August 20 on Suspilne Studio by Oleh, call sign “Sviatyi”, commander of a company of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar”.
According to him, russian troops use dense vegetation, weather conditions, and natural cover, particularly ravines, to covertly advance deep into Ukrainian defenses, attack logistics routes, and disrupt coordination between Ukrainian units.
“Most often, they fail to do so. The enemy that has infiltrated very deeply is left without supplies and communications. We detect and destroy them. The situation is difficult but under control”, - the serviceman noted.
He emphasized that this tactic used by russian forces is not new. The occupiers used similar attempts last year in other sections of the front, so Ukrainian units have experience countering such actions.
Commenting on the advance of part of the forces of russia’s 8th Combined Arms Army from the area of Sofiivka through Torske toward Raiske and Druzhkivka, “Sviatyi” noted that this maneuver did not come as a surprise to the Defense Forces.
According to him, Ukrainian intelligence and units on the ground detected the buildup of russian forces and launched fire strikes against them. At the same time, the russian command continues to deploy significant reserves of personnel and equipment, which allows the occupiers to periodically infiltrate between Ukrainian military positions.
Most often, russian groups try to operate at junctions between Ukrainian units, where there may be fewer observation positions due to terrain features or the combat situation.
Among the factors facilitating such infiltrations, the serviceman cited the numerical superiority of russian forces and dense summer vegetation, which makes it difficult to detect small groups.
“They are trying to disperse our forces and assets because they cannot capture Kostiantynivka. They want to encircle our battle formations and thereby improve their position in other directions. They are acting symmetrically, simultaneously on both the right and left flanks of Kostiantynivka. They are widening the offensive front, thereby dispersing our troops, our drones, and our equipment. This is the standard tactic of the russians”, - the company commander concluded.