Ukrainian resistance continues to delay Russian attempts to seize Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated on April 15 that the Russian military command is likely pressuring Russian forces to accelerate their rate of advance in Kostyantynivka.[32] Mashovets reported that Russian forces are attempting to infiltrate Kostyantynivka by persistently attempting to push Ukrainian forces northward and attacking Ukrainian positions near Ivanopillya and Pleshchiivka. Mashovets noted that Russian forces likely reached the eastern outskirts of Kostyantynivka but that the southeastern area of Kostyantynivka remains a contested “gray zone.” Mashovets stated that Russian forces will thus likely struggle to accomplish the Russian command’s goals for the summer-fall 2026 offensive to capture the fortress belt.[33] Mashovets stated that Russian forces are incurring high casualties assaulting Kostyantynivka, and that Russian forces have not advanced to a position from which they could conduct a viable assault on Kramatorsk from the south, which is key to achieving the goals of the offensive.