DeepState explains why Russia's ceasefire proposal for Kostiantynivka is a trap
Now it is the strike and search operations of Ukrainian pilots that are preventing the Russians from fully establishing themselves in Kostiantynivka, DeepState emphasized (Photo: DeepState via Telegram)
Analysts at DeepState said a Russian Defense Ministry proposal for a ceasefire in the embattled city of Kostiantynivka is aimed at advancing Moscow's military objectives rather than ending hostilities, warning it could conceal a broader tactical plan on July 6.
"Heavy fighting is currently underway for Kostiantynivka. Russian forces have reached the outskirts of the city, where they have begun establishing positions and infiltrating deeper into the urban area. They are trying to secure positions near Illinivka and Novodmytrivka to disrupt movement and control across most of Kostiantynivka. At the same time, Russian troops continue infiltrating the city while sustaining heavy losses," the DeepState monitoring project said.
The analysts said the situation in the city is difficult and cannot be described as fully under control, but stressed that Kostiantynivka remains under the control of Ukraine's Defense Forces.
They also said Russian videos showing troops raising flags inside the city are primarily propaganda, claiming that Russian infantry who manage to film such footage are subsequently killed or captured by Ukrainian forces.
DeepState described Russia's proposal to suspend hostilities in Kostiantynivka to recover the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers as "a deceptive plan that should under no circumstances be accepted."
"Our drone operators' strike missions are preventing the enemy from fully entrenching itself and capturing the city. As we have noted before, Russian infiltration is driven by their numerical advantage and the shortage of Ukrainian infantry. Drone strikes are creating major obstacles for Russian forces. They understand this and are looking for any opportunity to seize the city, where they are losing large numbers of troops," the analysts said.
They also called the proposal hypocritical, noting that Russian forces continue to devastate Kostiantynivka with guided aerial bombs and drone strikes.
"Under no circumstances should any temporary ceasefire proposals from the enemy be accepted, because they are deceptive and conceal hostile intentions," DeepState said.
On July 4, Russia's Defense Ministry proposed a ceasefire in Kostiantynivka from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kyiv time on July 6 to transfer the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. On July 5, the ministry told Russian state media that Ukraine had rejected the proposal.
Russian claims and Ukraine's response
Late on July 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov and other senior commanders, claiming that Russian forces had captured Kostiantynivka, "liberated" Luhansk Oblast and made "significant advances" in Donetsk Oblast.
The Institute for the Study of War rejected those claims, saying Russia's presence in Kostiantynivka is limited to small sabotage and reconnaissance groups scattered among Ukrainian positions.
On July 4, Ukraine's General Staff and the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces also denied Putin's claims, saying Ukrainian forces continue to defend Kostiantynivka and strike Russian troops infiltrating the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Putin's claim that Russia had captured Kostiantynivka a lie.
"If Kostiantynivka is under Russian control now, then Putin probably won't have a problem meeting me there and finding diplomatic solutions to finally end the war. But he still won't cross the front line, because the truth is very different from Putin's words," Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the suggestion.
"If Mr. Zelenskyy is expressing a willingness to come to Russia, we welcome that. But we would like to remind him that President Putin said he was ready to receive him in Moscow. After all, the capital of the Russian Federation is Moscow, not Kostiantynivka," Peskov said.
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