Putin Proposes a "Humanitarian Operation" in Donbas: Why Ukraine Should Be on Guard

Vladimir Putin proposed organizing aso-called “humanitarian mission”in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast , following the example of the occupied town of Oleshky. The Russian dictator claims that 400–500 civilians remain in the city and asserts that he is ready to guarantee the safety of such an operation.

At the same time, the Kremlin’s claims of control over Kostiantynivka do not reflect the reality on the ground. Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions, while Russian forces have been unable to fully capture the town and certainly do not control it.

Putin’s proposal raises particular suspicions due to the experience in Oleshky, where the Russians, in violation of agreements, used a humanitarian pause to rotate troops, redeploy equipment, and reinforce their positions. Now, Ukrainian officials and analysts warn that Moscow may attempt to repeat this scenario in the Kostiantynivka area.

What is the Kremlin actually seeking? Could the humanitarian mission serve as a cover for military maneuvers? And why would Putin want to portray himself as a peacemaker? Read more about this in the following report from 24 Channel.

What Putin Proposed and Why He Mentioned Oleshky

During a meeting in Moscow with U.S. President’s Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vladimir Putin proposed conducting a humanitarian operation in Kostiantynivka modeled after the one in took place in Oleshky. He claimed that there are allegedly 400–500 civilians remaining in the city, and that the mission itself could help determine who controls the town.

Putin’s meeting with Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow / photo from the Kremlin

Putin claimed that Kostiantynivka is under the control of the Russian army and promised to guarantee the operation’s security on his part. According to him, preparing for the operation would require five days to clear the approaches to the city of mines. He proposed involving human rights commissioners from both countries and foreign journalists – particularly American ones – in the process.

Ukrainians consider Kostiantynivka part of their strategic line of defense in the Donbas. “Why not organize a humanitarian mission similar to the one carried out in Oleshky? If, as the Ukrainian authorities claim, they control this city, then let them ensure security there,” 
Putin stated.

The problem is that the dictator’s claims do not align with assessments of the “on-the-ground reality” by Ukrainian and foreign analysts. According to the DeepState map, as of the end of November 10, Russian forces controlled only a small part of Kostiantynivka in the south. A significant portion of the territory remained in the “gray zone,” while the city center was under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Finnish OSINT project BlackBird and others painted a similar picture.

What is the situation near Kostiantynivka? See the map

How Russia exploited the humanitarian pause in Oleshky

In late October 2026, a six-day “ a ceasefire for a humanitarian operation ” was declared in occupied Oleshky. However, the Russian military used the pause to rotate personnel, redeploy equipment and ammunition, set up shelters, and occupy new positions previously held by Ukrainian forces.

Movement of Russian military equipment in Oleshky during the ceasefire / Screenshot from a SKYNEWS video

Although there was no fighting directly in the city, the humanitarian operation allowed the Russians to consolidate their positions in the area.

Dmytro Lytvyn, the Ukrainian president’s communications adviser, linked Putin’s new proposal to the experience in Oleshky.

“Given that they brought in equipment and rotated troops in Oleshky under the cover of a humanitarian operation, it’s clear that they want to do the same in Kostiantynivka, but we need to figure out all the details,” 
– Lytvyn noted.

How a humanitarian pause benefits Russia

Oleksandr Musienko, a Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemember and military analyst, links Putin’s proposal to the Russian army’s problems on The Kostiantynivka sector.

The occupiers’ advance has slowed, and the Ukrainian Defense Forces are inflicting significant losses on the enemy. In addition, Russian troops are facing logistical challenges, as Ukrainian forces are cutting off supply routes for personnel, weapons, and drones. The difficulties with Russian supply operations in this area were also discussed in an article on Logistics under attack in the Kostiantynivka sector.

An analyst warns that the humanitarianThe enemy could exploit the missionis being used to move reinforcements and regroup units. In particular, the Russians may conceal military personnel under the guise of civilians or service workers.

Life in Kostiantynivka: Video from the 24th Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo

Furthermore, the situation in Kostiantynivka differs from that in Oleshky: direct combat is ongoing near the city, and Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions. Therefore, Musienko considers Putin’s claims of full control over the town to be false.

“If there were full control, it’s clear that Russia wouldn’t be making offers to come and take a look. We’ve heard similar calls from Putin before regarding Pokrovsk or other cities, but that’s impossible because Russia hasn’t ceased fire,” he emphasized.

Destruction and combat operations in Kostiantynivka / Photo: 24th Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo

Why Does Putin Need the Image of a Peacemaker?

Military analyst and coordinator of the “Information Resistance” group, Oleksiy Kopytko, draws attention to the political subtext of the initiative. He compares Putin’s statement with the earlier position of Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who on November 2 assured that Moscow had no plans to repeat the operation in Oleshky.

About ten days later, Putin himself proposed a similar initiative for Kostiantynivka. Kopytko suggests that the shift in rhetoric may have been influenced by significant losses suffered by the Russian army and Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, particularly oil refineries andthe port of Ust-Luga.

Since Putin cannot travel to China with military achievements to his name, he is at least trying to portray himself as a serial peacemaker and humanist, 
– Kopytko noted.

At the same time, Moscow’s willingness to agree to isolated local ceasefires does not mean that Russia seeks to end the war. Oleksiy Kopytko emphasizes that the Kremlin continues to reject broader agreements to halt strikes on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea.

What the Kremlin and Ukraine Are Saying About the Humanitarian Mission

Russian authorities deny that the proposal regarding Kostiantynivka could have a military purpose.

Claims that Russia might allegedly use the humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka to move armored vehicles do not stand up to scrutiny, 
said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side has not confirmed that such an operation is being prepared. Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada’s Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that Kostiantynivka was not even considered among the potential locations for the mission.

“As of today, I am not aware of any plans for a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka,” 
– the ombudsman noted.

He also clarified that Ukraine has a separate list of settlements in the Kherson region for which such an initiative could be discussed.

How many civilians actually remain in Kostiantynivka

The number of people still in the city also raises questions. Putin claimed there were 400–500 civilians, but estimates from the Russian and Ukrainian sides differ significantly.

The deputy prime minister of the so-called “DPR” occupation administration had previously cited a figure of approximately 3,000 people. In contrast, the Russian newspaper *Izvestia* reported on October 29 that there were about 12 residents. At the end of October, Ukrainian authorities estimated the number of residents in the Kostiantynivka community in government-controlled territory at 340 people.

Thus, even reports from the Russian side do not provide a consistent picture of the number of civilians.