The Russian Defense Ministry announced to President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces have captured Kostyantynivka, a strategically significant city in eastern Ukraine that Moscow had long sought to seize as part of its offensive through the Donetsk region. Videos released by the Kremlin show Putin visiting a command post and receiving reports from top military commanders, who described the capture of the city as an important strategic victory. Putin stated that Russia would need to expand security zones along the border in response to intensified Ukrainian attacks, particularly targeting Russian oil infrastructure. Ukraine has not yet commented on Russia's claims regarding the capture of Kostyantynivka. General Valeriy Gerasimov reported that the southern group of Russian forces continues their offensive aimed at liberating the entire Donetsk region, part of the broader Donbas area where Russia seeks control. The Russian Ministry of Defense previously claimed that its forces controlled parts of Kostyantynivka, one of several key Ukrainian defensive positions in the Donetsk region. Putin emphasized the importance of the city, noting that it is a crucial transportation and large工业（
Tendenz-Einschätzung (Mitte): The article presents the situation in Kostyantynivka as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry and includes statements from both Russian officials like Putin and Gerasimov, as well as mentions of Ukrainian claims without explicitly favoring either side. It provides direct quotes from both sides, a
