Putin keen to offset bad news on Crimea by capture of Kostyantynivka, as Russians advance by crawling between houses (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,582)

Putin's focus on capturing Kostyantynivka is an attempt to divert attention from setbacks in Crimea, where Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure are straining Moscow's war resources. The Russian advance in Donbas is slow and painstaking, maneuvering through houses, highlighting the grueling nature of their campaign. This strategic shift underscores the broader implications for both Russia's war efforts and Ukraine's resilience against prolonged attritional warfare.