MOSCOW, July 4. /TASS/. The Ukrainian command issued orders to hold Konstantinovka until the last moment, attempting to convince Western curators of its ability to stop the advance of the Russian Armed Forces, Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff and First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Sergey Rudskoy said at a briefing.

"The Ukrainian command, not sparing the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, issued orders to hold this defensive strongpoint until the last moment. The Kiev regime thus attempted to convince Western curators of the alleged ability of Ukrainian troops to stop the advance of the Russian army in this direction," he said.

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