Russian forces claim capture of Kostjantynivka as drone strikes escalate across Ukraine and Russia

Russian forces claim capture of Kostjantynivka as drone strikes escalate across Ukraine and Russia
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Russian forces claim capture of strategic Donbas city as drone warfare intensifies across Ukraine and Russia

Russian defence ministry officials announced on Friday that their forces had captured Kostjantynivka, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the Donetsk region, describing the city as a “strategically important” prize in the Donbas. The claim, reported by multiple outlets including Zeit and Aftenposten, was immediately contested by Ukrainian authorities who had reported heavy fighting in the area as recently as Thursday. The Russian ministry’s statement followed overnight drone and missile strikes across Ukraine that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 85, according to Ukrainian emergency services cited by Irish Sun.

The escalation in drone warfare reached new levels on Friday night when Ukrainian forces struck the Saki Air Base in Russian-occupied Crimea, destroying multiple hangars and at least seven aircraft including Su-30SM, Su-30, and Su-24 jets, according to open-source intelligence reports published by OSINT Insights. Hours later, Ukrainian drones targeted an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, igniting fires and sending plumes of black smoke over the city’s port area, as documented in social media footage and reported by Kyiv Independent and The Moscow Times.

Russian authorities reported intercepting 16 drones over Moscow early on Saturday, with Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stating that emergency crews were responding to debris impact sites across the capital Kyiv Post. Meanwhile, Russian missile strikes on civilian infrastructure in Odesa Oblast injured two people and set a food warehouse ablaze, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service cited by Ukrinform.

The human toll mounted in eastern Ukraine, where Russian attacks on Sumy killed four people including a child and wounded 27 others, Ukrainian officials said Reuters. In Zaporizhzhia, regional authorities reported 1,106 strikes across 43 settlements over the past 24 hours, killing two and injuring 39 Ukrinform.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to intensify pressure on Russia’s shadow oil fleet and strengthen air defences following the latest strikes, warning that Moscow’s energy sector remained a critical vulnerability Kyiv Post. The International Institute for Strategic Studies said Russia was “highly likely” behind a coordinated drone campaign targeting military and nuclear sites across more than a dozen European countries, exposing weaknesses in allied air defences Yeni Safak.

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Articles

Live From Europe

Russian strike on residential area in Zaporizhzhia: Eight injured, including two children Eight people, including two children, were injured in an enemy attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia.

ukrinform · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian forces launch 1,106 attacks across Zaporizhzhia region over past day, killing two people and injuring 39 others The occupiers carried out 1,106 strikes on 43 settlements across the Zaporizhzhia region over the past day. Two people were killed and 39 others were injured in enemy attacks on Zaporizhzhia and the Zaporizhzhia district.

ukrinform · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russias war casualty toll in Ukraine up by 1,190 over past day Russias total combat losses since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, have reached approximately 1,408,340 personnel, including 1,190 soldiers killed and wounded in action over the past 24 hours.

ukrinform · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian missile strike hits Odesa region, food warehouse catches fire, two people injured Russian forces launched a missile strike on civilian infrastructure in the Odesa region, injuring two people.

ukrinform · about 3 hours ago

⚡️Ukrainian missile strike on Russias Belgorod disrupts power, water supply across city, official says.

⚡️Ukrainian missile strike on Russias Belgorod disrupts power, water supply across city, official says.

bluesky_Kyiv Independent · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Eight injured in Russian attack on residential area in Zaporizhzhia – photos Eight people, including two teenagers, were injured after a Russian strike hit a residential area in Zaporizhzhia.

ukrpravda · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Drones attack port in Russias Leningrad Oblast – photos, videos Drones targeted the port of Vysotsk in Russias Leningrad Oblast overnight.

ukrpravda · about 3 hours ago

Day 1,592 of the full scale invasion has begun Estimated russian losses from February 24, 2022 to July 04, 2026 of the russian all-out war against Ukraine, according to the General Staff of #Ukraine🔷 Yesterday 1,190 enemy, killed or wounded

Day 1,592 of the full scale invasion has begun Estimated russian losses from February 24, 2022 to July 04, 2026 of the russian all-out war against Ukraine, according to the General Staff of #Ukraine🔷 Yesterday 1,190 enemy, killed or wounded

mastodon bot · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian missile strike hits civilian infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, injuring two – photo Two people were injured as a Russian missile strike targeted civilian infrastructure in Odesa Oblast overnight.

ukrpravda · about 3 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian authorities claim Moscow comes under drone attack Russian officials say air defences intercepted drones approaching Moscow overnight.

ukrpravda · about 4 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian guided bomb strike on Sumy: 3 killed and 27 injured – photos Emergency responders have released photos showing the consequences of a Russian guided bomb attack on central Sumy.

ukrpravda · about 4 hours ago

Live From Europe

Putin orders continued large-scale strikes on Ukraine Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian forces to continue large-scale strikes on Ukraines defence industry infrastructure and related facilities.

ukrpravda · about 4 hours ago

⚡️St. Petersburg oil terminal reportedly struck by Ukrainian drones.

Ukraines military reportedly carried out an attack on St. Petersburg in the early hours of July 4, striking an oil terminal in the city, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

⚡️St. Petersburg oil terminal reportedly struck by Ukrainian drones. Ukraines military reportedly carried out an attack on St. Petersburg in the early hours of July 4, striking an oil terminal in the city, Russian Telegram media channels reported.

bluesky_Kyiv Independent · about 4 hours ago

KYIV INDEPENDENT: Fires reported at ferry terminal, airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea as Ukrainian strikes continue  Ukraines military continued its barrage of attacks on targets in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on July 4, reportedly striking key infrastructure on the peninsula, Russian Telegram media channels reported. #Ukraine

KYIV INDEPENDENT: Fires reported at ferry terminal, airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea as Ukrainian strikes continue Ukraines military continued its barrage of attacks on targets in Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on July 4, reportedly striking key infrastructure on the peninsula, Russian Telegram media channels reported. #Ukraine

mastodon bot · about 4 hours ago

⚡️Update: 4 dead, 27 injured after Russian airstrike on Sumy. 

A 5-year-old girl and her mother are among the victims who died in Russias attack, authorities in Sumy said. Six guided aerial bombs struck a busy residential neighborhood on July 3.

⚡️Update: 4 dead, 27 injured after Russian airstrike on Sumy. A 5-year-old girl and her mother are among the victims who died in Russias attack, authorities in Sumy said. Six guided aerial bombs struck a busy residential neighborhood on July 3.

bluesky_Kyiv Independent · about 6 hours ago

⚡️Russian airstrike in downtown Sumy kills 4, including child, injures at least 20. 

Three adults and one child have died, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said after Russian drones and glide bombs struck an apartment in the city center. Another 20 victims have been hospitalized.

⚡️Russian airstrike in downtown Sumy kills 4, including child, injures at least 20. Three adults and one child have died, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said after Russian drones and glide bombs struck an apartment in the city center. Another 20 victims have been hospitalized.

bluesky_Kyiv Independent · about 6 hours ago

⚡️Russias mass missile attacks on Ukraine must continue, Putin says.

"I note that massive, coordinated strikes against the infrastructure of Ukraines military-industrial complex and the facilities supporting its operation must continue," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

⚡️Russias mass missile attacks on Ukraine must continue, Putin says. "I note that massive, coordinated strikes against the infrastructure of Ukraines military-industrial complex and the facilities supporting its operation must continue," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

bluesky_Kyiv Independent · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian attack on Sumy leaves one killed, seven injured One person was killed and seven others injured in Sumy as a result of a Russian guided aerial bomb attack.

ukrinform · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Strategic Russian oil refinery suspends operations after Ukrainian drone attack The NORSI oil refinery in Russias Nizhny Novgorod region suspended oil processing after coming under attack by Ukrainian drones on July 2.

ukrinform · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Two men killed, 21 injured in Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia Two men were killed and 21 people injured in Russian attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia on July 3.

ukrinform · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian attacks target four gas stations in Poltava region, six people injured The number of people injured in a Russian strike on a gas station in Ukraines Poltava region has risen to six.

ukrinform · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian airstrike hits central Sumy: Four killed, including child At least four people, including a child, were killed as a result of a Russian airstrike on the center of Sumy, with several others injured.

ukrinform · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Explosions rock occupied Mariupol as drones strike parking area with Russian trucks Explosions were heard overnight in Russian-occupied Mariupol, where drones struck a parking area containing Russian freight trucks.

ukrinform · about 6 hours ago

Ukraine launched an overnight attack on the Russian city of Belgorod and the surrounding region on July 4, striking key infrastructure and causing widespread blackouts, according to eyewitnesses and acting Governor Alexander Shuvaev.  #Russia #Belgorod

Ukraine launched an overnight attack on the Russian city of Belgorod and the surrounding region on July 4, striking key infrastructure and causing widespread blackouts, according to eyewitnesses and acting Governor Alexander Shuvaev. #Russia #Belgorod

mastodon bot · about 6 hours ago

Live From Europe

Russian forces attack Zaporizhzhia: 2 killed, 21 injured – photos Two people were killed and 21 were injured due to Russian attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia on 3 July.

ukrpravda · about 7 hours ago

Russian bomb attack kills three in Ukraines Sumy, other areas also hit, officials say reut.rs/4pcI7yb

Russian bomb attack kills three in Ukraines Sumy, other areas also hit, officials say reut.rs/4pcI7yb

bluesky_Reuters · about 7 hours ago

Live From Europe

Three civilians killed and 12 injured in Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Three people were killed and 12 others were injured in Russian attacks across Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 3 July.

ukrpravda · about 7 hours ago

KYIV POST: Zelensky Urges US, G7 Allies to Squeeze Russias Shadow Oil Fleet After Fatal Strikes  A Russian guided bomb strike on central Sumy killed four people, including a child, and injured 27 others. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the US, Europe, G7 and G20 nations to increase pressure on Moscows energy sector, while also strengthening Ukraines air defense. #Ukraine

KYIV POST: Zelensky Urges US, G7 Allies to Squeeze Russias Shadow Oil Fleet After Fatal Strikes A Russian guided bomb strike on central Sumy killed four people, including a child, and injured 27 others. President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the US, Europe, G7 and G20 nations to increase pressure on Moscows energy sector, while also strengthening Ukraines air defense. #Ukraine

mastodon bot · about 8 hours ago

Kyiv, UkraineA large fire burns across Kyiv after an overnight Russian attack. Russia used nearly 500 drones and more than 70 missiles in the hours-long attack on Kyiv and other parts of the country in the early hours of Thursday.Photograph: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images #photography #Ukraine #Kyiv

Kyiv, UkraineA large fire burns across Kyiv after an overnight Russian attack. Russia used nearly 500 drones and more than 70 missiles in the hours-long attack on Kyiv and other parts of the country in the early hours of Thursday.Photograph: Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images #photography #Ukraine #Kyiv

mastodon bot · about 9 hours ago

Live From Europe

#Ukraine #USA Zelensky emphasizes the need for Ukraine to establish its own production of Patriot missiles to enhance air defense capabilities following a significant Russian attack on Kyiv. He believes that having domestic production is crucial for reliably protecting lives and strengthening national security. Subscribe to @OSINTdefender Chat room

telegram_OSINTdefender · about 9 hours ago