The leader of the so-called "DNR" explained how the russian army is "saving" the residents of Kostiantynivka from the ruined city that it destroyed itself

"We are focusing the attention of our units on ensuring that the evacuation of the civilian population does not stop, and this work continues under difficult conditions", - Denis Pushilin, the leader of the so-called "DNR", told russian media.

He indirectly acknowledged that Kostiantynivka is not fully controlled by the occupation corps of the russian armed forces. According to Pushilin, "scattered representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces... are hiding in basements in the northern and northwestern parts".

He did not mention that before the start of the so-called "SMO", the city's residents lived in relative peace. The situation escalated in February 2024 and entered a critical phase in May–June 2026, when the occupation forces reached the outskirts of Kostiantynivka and launched an assault on the city. Kostiantynivka came under massive shelling and aerial bombardment. Street fighting is still ongoing. Safe evacuation by vehicle is impossible because of drones, and the evacuation of civilians (fewer than 2,000–2,500 people remain in the city out of the pre-war population of 78,000) is carried out mainly on foot or by specialized groups under extremely high-risk conditions. Residents from areas captured by the russian armed forces are being taken by russians to territory under their control.