CNN
Russian state media outlet TASS claimed on Monday that Russian forces had “gained full control” of Kostyantynivka’s eastern part and approached its northeastern outskirts.
In reality, parts of the city have become a contested “gray zone” – with neither side controlling them – according to the Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
“These are infiltrations, these are not advances. These are groups of maybe one to two guys, Russian servicemen, entering some positions in the city… it’s not a consolidated position,” said ISW’s Russia team lead, Kateryna Stepanenko, who described the tactic as slow and grinding. “They still need quite a lot of time and quite a lot of resources to actually exploit that into consolidated positions.”
