On January 2, Russian troops took control of the village of Oleksandro-Shultyne and advanced toward Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Roughly 12 square kilometers in this sector came under Russian control over the past day.
Units of Russia’s army have moved up to the outskirts of Kostiantynivka, according to mapping data from the DeepState analytics project.
Russian forces advanced from Oleksandro-Shultyne and continue to pressure Ukrainian defensive lines near Pleshchiivka and Predtechyne.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, on the Kostiantynivka axis the Russians carried out 18 attacks near Oleksandro‑Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Shcherbynivka, Rusyn Yar and Sofiivka, as well as toward Ivanopillia, Berestok and Stepanivka.
Overall, through December 2025 and into early 2026, Russian gains on the Kostiantynivka front were limited. However, on January 2 Ukrainian military analyst Konstantyn Mashovets said Russian troops recently broke into the southeastern part of Kostiantynivka and are now trying to consolidate positions in the area between Ostrovskogo Street and the City‑Drive‑2019 service station.
He emphasized this was not a mass breakthrough but an incursion by small forward assault groups from Russia’s “South” grouping. According to him, Russia intends to use the same approach seen in Kupiansk and Pokrovsk: intensive penetration and infiltration by numerous small infantry teams into densely populated urban areas with heavy drone support.
“Before launching a phase of mass infiltration, the enemy will obviously try, if not to block, then at least to significantly complicate logistics for Ukrainian units defending inside the city,” Mashovets said.
In the tactical zone where Russia’s assault units are operating, aircraft - including drones - will likely be used actively to provide reconnaissance and fire support.
Separately, on January 2 DeepState analysts reported that Russian forces also advanced near the cities of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk region, as well as near Svitle, with changes recorded along the line of contact in that sector.
