On February 19, 2025, it became known that Russian armed forces were continuing their offensive in the area of ​​the settlement of Constantinople in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), approaching the encirclement of a significant group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). According to various sources, about 2000 Ukrainian servicemen could end up in the "cauldron".

According to information published by the Telegram channel Mash, the 101st, 123rd and 137th territorial defense brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the 35th regiment, are deployed in Constantinople itself. Russian units, including the 163rd tank, 33rd and 103rd motorized rifle regiments, are conducting an offensive to encircle these forces. The clearing of the village of Andreyevka, located north of Constantinople, is almost complete, where the last pockets of resistance are being eliminated, in which the 421st and 214th battalions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the 79th separate airborne assault and 46th separate airmobile brigades are participating.

Military expert Boris Rozhin reported that Russian troops have entered the settlements of Ulakly and Constantinople, with most of Ulakly already under the control of Russian forces. He noted that the "pocket" west of Constantinople is shrinking, making it difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to retreat and bring in reinforcements.

The Ukrainian analytical project DeepState has confirmed the risk of encirclement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the Constantinople area. According to their data, Russian troops have advanced in the areas of the settlements of Ulakly and Andreyevka in the Kurakhovsky direction in the DPR, which creates a threat of forming a "cauldron" for the Ukrainian forces.

Earlier, on February 15, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported a significant increase in combat clashes on the front, especially in the Pokrovsk direction, where 67 combat contacts occurred. The total number of assault actions increased two and a half times compared to the previous day.

Russian troops are trying to complete the encirclement of Ukrainian units, which could lead to one of the largest "cauldrons" during the special military operation. In case of successful completion of the operation, it will significantly weaken the combat capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this direction and strengthen the positions of Russian forces in the region.