• Russian forces have seized control of Constantinople in the Donetsk People’s Republic, marking a significant territorial gain.
• Ukrainian troops face mounting losses, with up to 1,300 soldiers killed in the past 24 hours alone, alongside the destruction of Western-supplied military equipment.
• The suspension of U.S. intelligence sharing has crippled Ukraine’s defense capabilities, leaving its forces vulnerable to Russian advances in the Kursk region.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s refusal to negotiate peace has exacerbated the crisis, with up to 10,000 troops at risk of being cut off in Kursk.

In a devastating turn of events, Russian forces have tightened their grip on key Ukrainian-held territories, including the symbolic village of Constantinople in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the “liberation of the village” on Sunday, accompanied by a video of Russian troops raising their flag over the settlement. This victory comes as part of a broader offensive that has seen Ukrainian forces suffer catastrophic losses, with over 1,300 troops killed in a single day and significant Western-supplied military hardware destroyed.

The situation has been further exacerbated by the abrupt suspension of U.S. intelligence sharing, a move initiated by President Donald Trump following a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This decision has left Ukrainian forces blind to Russian movements, unable to effectively deploy advanced weaponry, and increasingly vulnerable to encirclement in the Kursk region. As Zelensky’s government clings to its dwindling bargaining power, the question remains: How much more will Ukraine lose before Zelensky desires a peace deal?

The fall of Constantinople and mounting Ukrainian losses

The village of Constantinople, named by Greek settlers from Crimea in the 18th century, has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing conflict. Russian forces have not only reclaimed the settlement but also inflicted heavy casualties on Ukrainian troops, with over 50 soldiers reported dead in the fighting. The Russian Defense Ministry’s Sunday report detailed staggering Ukrainian losses, including the destruction of U.S.-made HIMARS rocket systems, M777 howitzers, and armored vehicles, as well as Polish-made artillery.

Russian strikes have also targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, hitting gas processing facilities, military airfields, and drone assembly workshops. These attacks have further crippled Ukraine’s ability to sustain its war effort, leaving its forces increasingly isolated and demoralized.

The situation in Russia’s Kursk region has grown increasingly dire for Ukrainian troops. Russian forces have taken the villages of Viktorovka, Nikolayevka, and Staraya Sorochina, tightening the noose around Ukrainian-held territory. The town of Sudzha, the largest settlement under Ukrainian control in the region, is now under intense pressure, with Russian forces targeting its sole remaining supply route.

Ukrainian troops, numbering between 6,500 and 10,000, risk being completely cut off as Russian drones and artillery strike critical infrastructure. Bridges have been destroyed, and road networks are in shambles, leaving Ukrainian forces with dwindling options for resupply or retreat. The Kursk incursion, launched by Ukraine in August 2023, has proven to be a costly misadventure, with over 65,500 Ukrainian soldiers killed or wounded and thousands of armored vehicles lost.

The consequences of Zelensky’s arrogance

The suspension of U.S. intelligence sharing has dealt a crippling blow to Ukraine’s war effort. According to Time magazine, the lack of U.S. reconnaissance data has directly resulted in “hundreds of dead Ukrainians” and left the country unable to track Russian bombers and fighter jets. This intelligence blackout has also hampered Ukraine’s ability to launch precision strikes against Russian positions, further eroding its defensive capabilities.

The freeze was triggered by a heated exchange between Zelensky and Trump during a February 28 meeting at the White House. Zelensky’s dismissive attitude toward diplomacy and his assertion that the U.S. “will feel” the impact of the conflict reportedly angered Trump, who accused the Ukrainian leader of being ungrateful and reckless. “You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump reportedly told Zelensky, emphasizing the need for peace talks.

Zelensky’s refusal to engage in meaningful peace negotiations has only deepened Ukraine’s crisis. His government’s insistence on continuing the fight, despite mounting losses and dwindling support, has left the country increasingly isolated. The loss of U.S. intelligence and military aid has not only weakened Ukraine’s defenses but also emboldened Russian forces, who are now making rapid advances on multiple fronts.

As Russian troops tighten their grip on key territories, Zelensky’s government faces a stark reality: Without a shift in strategy, Ukraine risks losing even more ground and lives. The U.S., once a piggy bank for Ukrainian corruption, has signaled its unwillingness to continue supporting a war effort that shows no signs of ending.

The fall of Constantinople and the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Kursk mark a turning point in the conflict. Zelensky’s arrogance and entitlement have cost Ukraine dearly, leaving its troops demoralized and its territory shrinking. The suspension of U.S. intelligence sharing has only accelerated this decline, handing Russia a stronger hand in the war, and signaling to Europe that Russia will no longer be bullied by war propaganda, broken pacts, globalism, unfounded sanctions, assassinations, and European military alliances threatening their borders.

Sources include:

RT.com

RT.com

RT.com