The Ukrainian command continues to send out isolated units to take photos in parts of the city and keep the media battle for the city going. This is also so that pro-Ukrainian fanatics can keep regurgitating propaganda, such as those who talk about ‘ninja troops’ and attack AMK because the reality, however, is quite different of what their minds tell them.

I have different criteria to Suriyak for marking areas as Russian controlled.

Militarily speaking, has Kostyantynivka fallen? Effectively.

Are battles still technically ongoing? Yes.

The Ukrainian presence in the outer suburbs is still too strong for me to change it from grey to red, but this may change soon.

The Russian presence is overwhelming compared to Ukraine's presence, and continues to trend in this direction. The Ukrainian command sending in small groups of soldiers in 2s and 3s to extend the length of the battle in the information space won't change much from a tactical perspective.

Also, Ukraine has almost completed its withdrawal from the Chasiv Yar salient north of Kostyantynivka, as once Russia achieves full consolidation in Kostyantynivka it will become impossible to hold and extremely prone to encirclement. At the moment, no more than a few dozen Ukrainian soldiers are present in the Chasiv Yar-Mykolaivka-Chervone area.

West of Kostyantynivka, Russia is also developing an offensive towards Mykolaipillya, incrementally clearing key Ukrainian strongpoints and bypassing advanced Ukrainian positions at Stepanivka and Dovha Balka.

The IDF claims to have intercepted a drone of an unknown origin near the Jordanian border.

The drone reportedly did not cross into Israeli territory.

Summary of Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine over the last week (July 20-26, 2026):

The following was launched:

~ 28 Kh-59/69 cruise missiles
~ 15 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles
~ 14 Oniks supersonic cruise missiles
~ 4 Kh-22/32 cruise missiles
~ 2 Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles
~ 1 Kh-31P anti-radar missile
~ 1,099+ drones (Geran-2/3/4/5, Italmas, Gerbera, Banderol).

That's a total of ~64 missiles, of which a *minimum* of 10 were shot down (2 Iskander-Ms & 8 Kh-59/69s).

Note: the drone count does not include FPV drones such as Molniya-1.

Missile strikes were carried out on Odesa, Poltava, and Kyiv Oblasts, while drone strikes were carried out on Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr and Donetsk Oblasts, as well as Kyiv City.

Note: The locations shown on the map are approximate. One dot does not necessarily represent only one strike.

Situation on the Hlukhiv direction, Sumy Oblast:

Over the last month, Russian forces continued low-level assault operations in border areas of northern Sumy Oblast, making new advances in multiple areas.

In the north, Russian forces captured additional positions along the highway west of the border crossing and are now launching assaults into the nearby village of Bachivsk, which is currently situated in the grey-zone. Some isolated infiltrations are also taking place beyond Bachivsk towards the outskirts of Mala Slobidka. Additionally, they were able to capture some new treeline positions west of Sopych and are attempting to infiltrate further southwest towards the forests north of Chervonyi Pakhar.

To the south, the Russians expanded their zone of control across the international border, capturing new treeline positions west of Chervona Zorya, west of Bobylivka, and north & northeast of Bila Bereza, beginning storming operations on the village of Ulanove. Furthermore, marginal advances were made through the treelines west of Komarivka, as Russian reinforcements accumulate in the settlement.

+ ~15.36 km² in favour of Russia.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Khotin, Yunakivka, & Myropillya directions, Sumy Oblast:

Over the last month, Russian forces continued high-intensity assault operations in the direction of Khotin and on neighbouring sectors, making new advances in a number of different areas.

In the west, Russian forces continued attacks in Kindrativka, improving their positions in the eastern part of the village and infiltrating up to the western outskirts. Other assault groups cleared Andriivka from earlier Ukrainian infiltrations and captured a forested area to the west.

To the southeast, Russian forces continued infiltrations towards Khotin from the north, with DRGs approaching the northern outskirts of the town. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces counterattacked, clearing part of the forests south of Mala Korchakivka, where Russia is continuing their own attacks. Additionally, the Russians completed the capture of Korchakivka and some of the forests to the south, from which they are infiltrating south to Ivolzhanske, southeast to Kyyanytsya, and east to Nova Sich.

To the east, the Russians cleared a number of strongpoints in the gulley north of the large forest north of Nova Sich and intensified their attacks towards the eastern edge of this forest. Other assault groups improved their positions along the treelines north of Marine and are actively infiltrating up to the northern outskirts of the settlement.

Further east, Russian forces cleared the remaining streets of Yunakivka from Ukrainian holdouts and deepened their infiltrations through the forests southeast of Sadky.

+ ~18.69 km² in favour of Russia.
+ ~1.45 km² in favour of Ukraine.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Myropillya and Krasnopillya directions, Sumy Oblast:

Over the last few weeks, positional battles have continued along the frontline stretching from Myropillya to Ryasne, with both sides carrying out assault operations.

In the north, Russian forces resumed their attacks in the Myropilske area, capturing new positions in the forests north and south of the village and deepening their buffer zone into this part of Sumy Oblast. Fighting continues for the Turya area, where Russian forces managed to infiltrate the eastern part of the village. Ukrainian forces are counterattacking, attempting to cut off Russian infiltrators in Turya.

In the south, Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Pokrovka, recapturing a number of forested areas southwest of the village. Russian forces are attempting to retake these positions and storm the neighbouring settlement of Mykhailivka. Additionally, the Ukrainians recaptured a section of the railway line along the tactical heights south of Novodmytrivka, driving a wedge between Russian positions, while Russian forces continue attempts to advance in the western streets of Ryasne.

+ ~4.70 km² in favour of Russia.
+ ~3.28 km² in favour of Ukraine.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Kozacha Lopan & Lyptsi directions, Kharkiv Oblast:

Over the last month, Russian forces continued their assault operations in border areas of northern Kharkiv Oblast, making new progress in two different areas.

In the northwest, after consolidating in the northern part of Kozacha Lopan, Russian forces expanded their zone of control towards the town centre, while infiltrators are actively fighting for the central and southeastern streets. Other assault groups are attempting to advance west from the border crossing towards the treelines east of Kozacha Lopan.

In the southeast, the Rusians continued to advance down the western bank of the Travyanske Reservoir, capturing another forest, and infiltrating further south through the forests towards Mali Prokhody. Other assault groups are attempting to infiltrate west along the Travyanka River towards the village of Vysoka Yaruha.

+ ~2.20 km² in favour of Russia.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

After over 840 days of intense fighting, one of the longest and most important battles of the war in Ukraine has come to an end.

Chasiv Yar has officially fallen to Russian forces, with the last Ukrainian holdouts withdrawing from the southwestern part of the city sometime in the last week. Battles for Chasiv Yar began on April 4, 2024, with a Russian mechanised assault with BMPs into the easternmost houses of the Kanal Microdistrict.

The city has been erased from the face of the earth, suffering destruction at a higher rate than even Bakhmut (where fighting lasted for just 8 months, in comparison).

This withdrawal took place due to the collapse of Ukrainian defences in Kostyantynivka, which made defending this salient untenable. The fall of Kostyantynivka would have allowed Russia to cut the Ukrainians off. Withdrawals from neighbouring Mykolaivka, Chervone, and Podilske will likely take place in the near future.

Situation on the Bilyi Kolodyaz direction, Kharkiv Oblast:

Over the last few weeks, Russian forces significantly intensified their assault operations in the Bilyi Kolodyaz direction, making new advances in multiple different areas and beginning deep infiltrations behind Ukrainian lines.

In the southwest, Russian forces repelled Ukrainian counterattacks in the Synelnykove area, re-establishing control over the village and the Tsehelne warehouses. From there, they pushed south into Vilcha from Vovchansk, recapturing most, if not all of the town. Fighting continues for the eastern part of Lyman and the southern part of Hrafske. Deep Russian infiltrations are being carried out from Vilcha through the fields southeast to the former village of Zemlyayni Yar, although at a much lower intensity compared to other areas.

To the east, the Russians cleared the southeastern streets of Vovchansk from earlier Ukrainian infiltrations and improved their positions along the treelines outside the city. They also managed to break through Ukrainian defence south of Pokolyane, capturing new treeline positions, while infiltrators carry out deep infiltrations up to the northern outskirts of Bilyi Kolodyaz and the neighbouring village of Yurchenkove. Isolated instances of Russian DRGs in the northern part of Bilyi Kolodyaz have already been recorded.

Further east, Russian forces captured a number of treeline positions south of Karaichne and are carrying out deep infiltrations through Ukrainian lines to the village of Volokhivske (where skirmishes are taking place), along the tactical heights towards Bilya Kolodyaz, and southeast towards the village of Zakharivka. Fighting continues for Zybyne, north of the Vovcha River.

To the northeast, the Russians completed the capture of Chaikivka and improved their positions in the forests north of Okhrimivka. Ukrainian forces counterattacked in Okhrimivka, clearing the centre of the village from earlier Russian infiltrations.

+ ~18.81 km² in favour of Russia.
+ ~0.98 km² in favour of Ukraine.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Velykyi Burluk direction, Kharkiv Oblast:

Over the last few weeks, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have advanced in the Velykyi Burluk direction, amid continued positional battles.

In the northeast, Russian forces improved their positions on the tactical heights west of the Oskil River, advancing west towards Petro-Ivanivka. Some infiltrators managed to enter the southern part of the village.

In the southwest, Ukrainian forces repelled earlier Russian attacks on the village of Kutkivka and recaptured previously lost positions in the forests to the east. They also recaptured parts of the forests southwest of Dvorichna.

+ ~5.21 km² in favour of Ukraine.
+ ~2.70 km² in favour of Russia.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Kupyansk direction, Kharkiv Oblast:

Over the last few weeks, Russian forces continued their assault operations in and around Kupyansk, where they have made new advances in multiple different areas on both banks of the Oskil River.

In the northwest, Russian forces expanded their bridgehead over the Oskil River in the northern part of Kupyansk, and are storming the Ukrainian stronghold in the high-rise blocks in the northwestern suburbs of the city. Other forces marginally advanced in the city centre and are attempting to infiltrate the area of the railway station and the southwestern suburbs. Meanwhile, Ukrainian force counterattacked on the northern edge of Kupyansk, recapturing a number of enterprises there.

To the southeast, the Russians improved their positions in the treelines northeast of Kurylivka and continued deep infiltrations through the grey-zone in and around Podoly and Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi. Heavy fighting continues for the northern part of Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi.

Further southeast, Russian forces cleared the salient southeast of Kurylivka and intensified their assault operations on Novoosynove. Heavy fighting continues for the high-rise buildings in the centre of Kivsharivka.

+ ~16.24 km² in favour of Russia.
+ ~0.41 km² in favour of Ukraine.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Three Russian Geran-4 jet-drones are hunting vessels near Zmiinyi Island in the western Black Sea right now.

Situation on the Lyman direction, Donetsk Oblast:

Over the last few weeks, extremely heavy fighting has continued in the Lyman direction, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces carrying out extensive assault operations.

In the north, Ukrainian forces continued their coordinated series of counterattacks on the northern flank of Russia's salient north of Lyman, completely recapturing the villages of Nove and Katerynivka, before penetrating further southeast and south to the regional border with Luhansk Oblast. Meanwhile, Russian forces counterattacked to the west, recapturing a number of positions in the treelines and forests north and northwest of Zelena Dolnya. Ukrainian forces have since resumed their attacks towards the village from the north and northwest.

To the southwest, the Ukrainians consolidated in the southern part of Novoselivka and expanded their infiltrations to the centre of the village. From here, infiltrators crossed the Nitrius River and are pushing north along Hutchenka Road to the southern part of Shandryholove, where Russia tried to strike them with several KAB glide-bombs (which missed and fell in the dried-up part of the Nitrius River). Ukrainian forces are also counterattacking in the northern edge of Drobysheve.

To the east, Ukrainian forces launched a new series of counterattacks on the southern flank of the Russian salient north of Lyman, in coordination with their attacks from the north. Here, they are infiltrating through the grey-zone and attempting to capture three main Russian strongpoints in the forested areas east of Derylove, northwest of Stavky, and southwest of Kolodyazi. On the other hand, Russian forces intensified their own counterattacks, recapturing the northern streets of Stavky, while other assault groups carry out infiltrations southwest down the forested gulley towards Drobysheve.

Further south, the Russians intensified their infiltrations into the outer suburbs of Lyman following earlier successful Ukrainian clearing operations, where they are attempting to establish themselves in the northern, northeastern, and southern streets, and improve their positions in the eastern streets.

+ ~12.20 km² in favour of Ukraine.
+ ~6.78 km² in favour of Russia.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Slovyansk direction, Donetsk Oblast:

Over the last 10 days, Russia has continued high-intensity assault operations in the Slovyansk direction, making significant progress as Ukrainian forces struggle to defend the key tactical ridgeline running north-to-south along this sector.

In the north, Russian forces improved their positions in the forests west of Kryva Luka and are carrying out deep infiltrations under the cover of the forests to the village of Starodubivka and nearby areas. They also managed to clear the large salient of strongpoints to the south, forcing the Ukrainians to withdraw west towards Mykolaivka.

To the southwest, the Russians improved their positions in the large forest north of Rai-Oleksandrivka and the treelines on the tactical heights to the south. From here there are carrying out deep infiltrations in coordination with movements down the road from Rai-Oleksandrivka, entering the eastern outskirts of the city of Mykolaivka.

Further southwest, Russian forces captured the last remaining positions of the main part of the Bakhmut District of Donetsk Oblast near Lypivka, and cleared out the remaining Ukrainian positions in the fortifications south of Rai-Oleksandrivka. Heavy fighting continues for the centre of Rai-Oleksandrivka and the fields west of the town.

To the west, the Russians expanded their zone of control along the eastern bank of the Siverskyi-Donets Canal, near the E-40 Highway, and continued infiltrating north through the village of Yurkivka up to the outskirts of Orikhuvatka. Other assault groups are attempting to infiltrate west down the forested gulley to the village of Zapovidne.

Further southwest, Russian forces captured the eastern and central parts of Malynivka, as well as the eastern part of Tykhonivka, from which they are carrying out deep infiltrations into the village of Vasyutynske and to the outskirts of Pershomarivka, coming within 5.5 km of the eastern outskirts of Kramatorsk.

To the south, the Russians continued their intensified assault operations in the Markove area, capturing a large number of treeline positions on the tactical heights north of the village, while continuing assault operations on Fedorivka. Infiltrations are also being carried out west through the treelines southeast of Vasyutynske.

+ ~19.17 km² in favour of Russia.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

Situation on the Kostyantynivka direction, Donetsk Oblast:

Over the last 10 days, heavy fighting has continued in and around Kostyantynivka, as Russian forces finally capture the city of Chasiv Yar after more than 840 days of heavy battles.

In the northeast, Russian forces deepened their infiltrations into Mykolaivka and Chervone, and expanded their zone of control in the southwestern part of Chasiv Yar. Ukrainian forces have been incrementally withdrawing from the Chasiv Yar salient ahead of the fall of Kostyantynivka, as a full Russian consolidation in Kostyantynivka would risk cutting off this salient.

As a result, Russian forces followed behind the withdrawing Ukrainian forces, completing the capture of Chasiv Yar, before advancing further and establishing control over positions outside the city in the eastern part of Mykolaivka, as well as in the fortifications west of Stupochky. They also expanded their zone of control in the forests west of the city, and are attacking Ukrainian positions north of Podilske. Additionally, Russia resumed infiltrations down the railway line south of Virolyubivka, where they are attempting to reach the villages of Stinky and Klynove.

To the west, Russian forces improved their positions northeast of Novodmytrivka and are attempting to reach Stinky from the south. Infiltrations through Molocharka (which remains in the grey-zone) to Izhevka and Stinky are also underway.

To the southwest, heavy fighting continues for the northern and northwestern parts of Kostyantynivka, where Russia is slowly increasing their presence, while repelling attempts by Ukrainian forces to enter the city in small groups of 2-3 soldiers. Clearing operations continue in parts of eastern Kostyantynivka.

Further west, Russian forces are deepening their infiltrations west of Kostyantynivka, where Russian assault groups are advancing towards Mykolaipillya from the southeast and south, bypassing advanced Ukrainian positions in Stepanivka, Dovha Balka, and Rozkishne.

+ ~12.75 km² in favour of Russia.

Interactive map: amkmapping.com

One fairly well-established fact about the Chasiv Yar salient is that it, alongside the strongpoints near Mykolaipillya (west of Kostyantynivka), were the only reason why Russia has been unable to fully capture Kostyantynivka so far.

Once the remaining Ukrainian forces withdraw from the cluster of villages west of Chasiv Yar, Russia will be able to fully consolidate in the northwestern and northern parts of Kostyantynivka, and begin storming operations on Oleksijevo-Druzhkivka.

As a result of Russian advances in the Slovyansk direction over the last week, and the fall of the last remaining Ukrainian positions in Chasiv Yar, Russia has officially established full control over the Bakhmut District of Donetsk Oblast.

As of now, Russia fully controls 5 out of 8 administrative Districts of Donetsk Oblast, including the Mariupol, Kalmiuske, Horlivka, Donetsk, and now Bakhmut Districts.

The remaining 3 districts of Donetsk Oblast are contested. Ukraine controls approximately 70% of the Kramatorsk District, 25% of the Pokrovsk District, and 4% of the Volnovakha District.

Come on, New York Post, don’t you have anything better to do?