local
Putin’s false claim of the capture of one Ukrainian town exposes the slow pace of Russia’s bloody advance
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 16, 2026
· 7 min read
By Nick Paton Walsh, Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN
(CNN) — It is the fate of just one town, over a year, but provides a rare insight into Russia’s ill-fated war of choice.
The slow and costly infiltration of Kostyantynivka, key to Moscow’s advance in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas a...
Key takeaway On July 3, the Ministry of Defense posted a series of videos of Russian troops at various points inside the town’s center, waving Russian flags, to bolster its assertion they had taken the town.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The situation in Kostyantynivka, Ukraine, may seem distant from El Paso , but the false claims of capture by Russia's defense ministry have implications for the local community. El Paso's own experience with border security and the flow of information across international boundaries can inform our understanding of the conflict. The use of geolocated videos and independent mapping to contradict Russia's claims also highlights the importance of verifiable information in times of conflict. As El Pasoans, we know the value of accurate reporting and the dangers of misinformation, particularly in situations where lives are at stake. The slow and costly advance of Russian forces in Ukraine serves as a reminder of the complexities of modern warfare and the need for reliable sources of information, a lesson that can be applied to our own local discussions on border security and international relations.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 7 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Nick Paton Walsh, Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN
(CNN) — It is the fate of just one town, over a year, but provides a rare insight into Russia’s ill-fated war of choice.
The slow and costly infiltration of Kostyantynivka, key to Moscow’s advance in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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