“The liberation of Konstantinovka has great strategic importance. The city, as we all know, is a key transport hub and an important industrial center in Donbas,” Putin said in a visit to an auxiliary command post of the Russian Combined Forces Group.

According to the president, the capture of Konstantinovka opens a direct route for the advance toward Kramatorsk and Sloviansk and is “the key to the occupation of the entire territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.” He also stressed that massive attacks against Ukrainian military installations must continue.

“I would like to highlight the positive momentum in the actions of our troops, the increasing pace of the offensive by the formations and military units of the Russian Armed Forces along the entire front,” the president stated.

Putin also expressed his gratitude for the courage and heroism displayed daily by the personnel of the Russian Armed Forces.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced to the press that the city of Konstantinovka, located in the Donetsk People’s Republic, was completely under the control of Russian troops.

“Now Konstantinovka, this important city, is completely under our control. In fact, the city had become an impregnable fortified district, according to the Kyiv regime, but thanks to the heroism of our military, it is now completely taken,” Peskov declared.

The presidential spokesman added that the commanders of the assault units briefed Putin on the situation in the city and showed him drone footage.

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