The ‘Skelya’ Regiment has confirmed that some of its fighters have been taken prisoner in Kostiantynivka

This is stated in an official statement from the ‘Skelya’ regiment.

What the regiment has reported

The unit stated that it is aware of the footage featuring captured Ukrainian soldiers that has been circulated by Russian media outlets. The regiment is currently establishing all the circumstances of the incident, but cannot disclose details of the operation in the city.

“For the regiment, the capture of our comrades is extremely painful news. But the most important thing is that our soldiers are alive,” the military emphasised.

The regiment will assist with the necessary procedures to ensure the prisoners of war are returned to Ukraine as soon as possible.

The ‘Skela’ regiment did not specify the number of soldiers captured nor did it disclose their names. Russian sources claimed that two servicemen were involved, but the Ukrainian unit has not confirmed this information.

How the regiment explained the situation

“Skela” stated that Russian propaganda is attempting to use this isolated incident involving prisoners to undermine the results of the Ukrainian operation in Kostiantynivka.

The unit emphasised that fighting for the town is ongoing, and that successes or losses in a specific sector do not determine the overall course of the battle.

“The display of Ukrainian prisoners of war does not indicate either the capture of Kostiantynivka or the regiment’s defeat,” the military stated.

According to the regiment, during the same fighting, Ukrainian assault troops captured two Russian occupiers. The ‘Skelya’ regiment described this as confirmation of the fierce nature of the fighting in the town.

Following mop-up operations, Russian units are attempting to regain lost positions and are launching counter-attacks. Therefore, even the successful completion of a combat mission does not rule out casualties, the regiment explained.

What is known about the video featuring the Ukrainian flag

On 18 July, the 425th Regiment reported that it had cleared the central part of Kostiantynivka. The unit released footage showing three Ukrainian soldiers holding the national flag as they reported on the completion of their mission in the town.

Later, Russian sources circulated another video. In it, people presented as Ukrainian prisoners of war were seen holding flags bearing photographs of the President of Ukraine and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The OSINT community ‘CyberBoroshno’ stated that the people in the published footage are servicemen from one of the assault battalions of the 425th Regiment and were at their posts at the time of their capture. The regiment itself did not disclose the names of the soldiers.

The Ukrainian military have urged people not to share Russian propaganda material featuring the prisoners, as the Russian Federation uses such footage to demoralise Ukrainian society and discredit the command.

What is the situation in Kostiantynivka?

Fighting for Kostiantynivka continues. Russian troops are attempting to infiltrate the town in small infantry groups, whilst the Defence Forces are conducting search-and-strike and counter-sabotage operations.

According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Kostiantynivka sector remains one of the most challenging on the front line. Russian troops are carrying out up to 20 attacks a day in this area.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates the number of Russian troops concentrated directly in Kostiantynivka at approximately 145. The Defence Forces are using FPV drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles to locate and engage Russian groups.

On 18 July, according to the Ukrainian command, 21 Russian soldiers were killed and a further six were wounded during fighting in the town. Ukrainian defenders also struck six of the occupiers’ strongholds.

Russia had previously claimed to have captured Kostiantynivka. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has refuted these reports and emphasised that Ukrainian units are continuing their defensive operations in the town and on the approaches to it.

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