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Analysis: Russia breaks into Kostiantynivka, opening battle for Donbas fortress belt
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Analysis: Russia breaks into Kostiantynivka, opening battle for Donbas fortress belt

by Francis Farrell

Amid a wave of positive headlines about Russian refineries in flames and logistics crippled, the battle for the legendary "fortress belt" of Ukraine's Donbas region has begun in earnest, with Russian forces breaking into the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast and steadily overrunning the urban area. As the summer campaign opens up, Russian forces are bucking the trend of offensive stagnation across the rest of the front line and making real headway into the heart of Ukrainian-controlled D

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In July 2024, serving as Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, I was honored to be decorated by President Andrzej Duda with the Commander's Cross with the Star of the Order of Merit. For the trust, the fellowship, and the years of honest partnership — I remain profoundly grateful to my Polish friends. And it is in that same spirit of honesty that I ask them to understand what conscience now requires of me. My devotion to the interests of the Ukrainian state, my duty to honor the dignity of Ukraine's

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Analysis: Russia breaks into Kostiantynivka, opening battle for Donbas fortress belt

Amid a wave of positive headlines about Russian refineries in flames and logistics crippled, the battle for the legendary "fortress belt" of Ukraine's Donbas region has begun in earnest, with Russian forces breaking into the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast and steadily overrunning the urban area. As the summer campaign opens up, Russian forces are bucking the trend of offensive stagnation across the rest of the front line and making real headway into the heart of Ukrainian-controlled D

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The Kyiv Independent's coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, after eight years of aggression against Ukraine that began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and fighting in Donbas. The war has resulted in tens of thousands of military and civilian casualties and displaced millions of Ukrainians. NATO and Western allies have provided military aid to Ukraine while the conflict continues across fronts in Ukraine’s south and east.

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