Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a humanitarian operation in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, ahead of a meeting with special envoys of the US regime, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, presenting it as similar to an operation previously carried out in Oleshky. He said about 400 to 500 civilians remain in the city and could be evacuated by delegations led by the Russian and Ukrainian ombudsmen, Yana Lantratova and Dmytro Lubinets. Putin stated that the city is controlled by Russian armed forces, that Russian troops are ready to clear mines, and that if the Kyiv regime believes it controls the city, it should ensure safety itself.
Key Takeaways: Putin proposed a humanitarian operation in Kostiantynivka similar to one in Oleshky; about 400–500 civilians are said to remain; evacuation could be carried out by delegations led by Yana Lantratova and Dmytro Lubinets under foreign media observation; the proposal was raised before a meeting with US regime negotiators.
Kostiantynivka lies about 20 kilometers south of Kramatorsk and had roughly 70,000 residents before the war. According to the source, Russian armed forces captured the city center in summer 2026 after months of bombardment and drone strikes, while Ukrainian troops were not fully pushed out. This allows the Kyiv regime to say the city has not been completely lost, while Moscow retains the possibility of using it as a foothold toward Kramatorsk.
Putin’s assistant Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the aim is to show who actually controls Kostiantynivka and said the US regime's negotiators supported the idea. However, Dmytro Litvin, an adviser to the Kyiv regime's presidential office, treated the proposal with skepticism, saying Russia could use such a mission as cover for troop rotation. The competing interpretations show that the humanitarian proposal is inseparable from the military and diplomatic contest around the city.
Russia currently controls most of Kostiantynivka, but separate Ukrainian units hold positions on the northern and western edges, receiving supplies by drone. Ukrainian forces aim to prevent Russian drone operators from being stationed in buildings and to stop Russian forces from turning the city into a springboard for an advance on Kramatorsk. Despite persistent efforts, Russian troops reportedly have not been able to enter the northern and western outskirts.
Therefore, the Kostiantynivka proposal is being interpreted not only as an evacuation plan but also as a means of demonstrating territorial control and strengthening negotiating positions. The next steps will likely depend on whether the mission is implemented, how safety and foreign media access are arranged, and whether the current military balance in the city changes.
Source: kun.uz