Russia Uses 'Humanitarian Mission' Cover to Deploy Troops Near Kostiantynivka

Russia plans to use a humanitarian mission as cover to secretly deploy troops near Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, according to Ukraine's Atesh partisan movement. The soldiers would reportedly enter in civilian clothes disguised as aid workers. The plan, attributed to Russia's 8th Combined Arms Army command, involves demining the area and establishing a foothold on the city's eastern outskirts. Direct assaults have failed due to heavy losses, so troops would advance toward urban areas after securing positions. Atesh notes the tactic violates international humanitarian law and may mirror Russia's actions during the Oleshky humanitarian truce from October 27 to November 1, 2026. The movement says the plan has been exposed and information passed to Ukrainian defense forces.