Russian Forces Target Civilians in Ukraine's Kostiantynivka

Russian forces are reportedly intensifying attacks on civilians in Kostiantynivka, a city in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as daily drone strikes and targeted assaults on evacuation efforts continue.

Serhii Horbunov, head of the Kostiantynivka City Military Administration, said Russian troops are using FPV strike drones to deliberately target civilians, including during active evacuations. One recent strike killed a civilian and injured two others who were assisting residents flee, The Caspian Post reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Humanitarian workers are also at risk. A civilian vehicle operated by the Kramatorsk Volunteers Association, which regularly evacuates residents, was hit by Russian fire. Although no buildings were damaged, authorities say the attack underscores the dangers faced by volunteers.

Local officials warn that no areas in Kostiantynivka are currently safe, as drones reportedly target pedestrians and civilian vehicles. Authorities continue documenting these attacks, describing them as war crimes. Residents are urged to evacuate while routes remain accessible.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces report unconventional tactics by Russian troops amid heavy equipment losses, including using horses in assaults, which are reportedly countered by drones. Additionally, around 50 civilians were forcibly removed from the village of Hrabivske in Sumy region and deported to Russia, a move Ukrainian authorities call a serious violation of international humanitarian law.