--- title: "Toretsk Passed Off as Kostiantynivka: Russian Ministry of Defense Embarrassed by 'Demining' Video" description: "The Russian Ministry of Defense published a video of \"demining Kostiantynivka,\" but OSINT researchers established that the fragments were filmed in Toretsk and Pivnichne. Kyiv calls this an attempt to rotate troops under the guise of a humanitarian mission." date: 2026-11-12T21:04:58.814Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/russian-mod-passes-off-toretsk-as-kostiantynivka tags: [russia-ukraine-war, kostiantynivka, demining, osint, humanitarian-mission] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Toretsk Passed Off as Kostiantynivka: Russian Ministry of Defense Embarrassed by 'Demining' Video ![Two Russian soldiers in camouflage are demining the area with a metal detector and a shovel.](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/12/rf-minoboroni-vidalo-toretsk-za-kostiantynivku/rf-minoboroni-vidalo-toretsk-za-kostiantynivku-1.webp) ## Key Points - The Russian Ministry of Defense published a video it claimed was the demining of Kostiantynivka, but OSINT researcher Bielitz established that the fragments were filmed in Toretsk and Pivnichne. - Toretsk and Pivnichne are approximately 19 and 21 km from the center of Kostiantynivka, which Russia claimed in July had been fully captured, though fighting continues. - On November 12, Putin proposed conducting a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka along the lines of Oleshky, claiming five days were needed for demining and asserting Russian control. - Kyiv believes Moscow's initiative is aimed at rotating troops rather than providing humanitarian aid. The Russian Ministry of Defense has published a video in which, according to the agency, troops are demining a road in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region. However, OSINT researcher Bielitz, having analyzed the footage on the X social network, pointed out that at least two segments of the video were filmed not in Kostiantynivka, but in occupied Toretsk and Pivnichne. Thus, the key message of the propaganda material—a demonstration of a "liberated" and demined city—does not correspond to the geography of the filming. ### What exactly was shown in the video The footage, which the Russian MoD labeled as the demining of Kostiantynivka, shows servicemen in camouflage: one of them is working with a handheld metal detector with a round search coil, while another is crouching and digging into the ground with hand tools. According to OSINT researcher Bielitz, part of these scenes was recorded in Toretsk and Pivnichne, and not in the city that the agency passed off as Kostiantynivka. This means that the video is a compilation and does not confirm the existence of demining in Kostiantynivka itself. ### Geography and the disputed status of the city According to the research data, Toretsk and Pivnichne are located approximately 19 and 21 kilometers from the center of Kostiantynivka. Russia claimed full capture of Kostiantynivka back in July, but according to available information, fighting for the city continues to this day. It is this discrepancy between the declared "control" and the actual picture of hostilities that makes the Ministry of Defense publication especially vulnerable to verification: the agency demonstrates demining as a sign of stable control, while the real situation in the city remains unstable. ### Chronology of Moscow's statements Back on November 10, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian troops were demining a road in "liberated Kostiantynivka." On November 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed conducting a humanitarian mission in the city based on the model of the operation in Oleshky, Kherson region, stating that it would take about five days to demine the approaches to the city. At the same time, he claimed that Kostiantynivka is under Russian control and proposed that Ukraine ensure the safety of the mission on its side "if Kyiv believes the city is under its control." ### Kyiv's reaction and expert assessment In Kyiv, Moscow's initiative is viewed with skepticism. Advisor to the President of Ukraine Dmytro Lytvyn stated that the Russian Federation might propose a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka in order to rotate its military, as it did in Oleshky. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, in turn, reported that Ukraine is considering the possibility of conducting new humanitarian missions in temporarily occupied territories. Against this background, the Ministry of Defense's publication with "demining of Kostiantynivka," actually filmed in other settlements, looks like an attempt to create an impression of complete control over the city for the audience and prepare the ground for the declared humanitarian operation. ## Accounts differ ### Filming location of the demining video and status of Kostiantynivka - **Russian Ministry of Defense:** Russian troops are demining a road in Kostiantynivka; the city is under Russian control ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vidali-toretsk-kostyantinivku-minoboroni-1794516645.html)) - **OSINT researcher Bielitz:** At least two video fragments were recorded in occupied Toretsk and Pivnichne, located approximately 19 and 21 km from the center of Kostiantynivka ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vidali-toretsk-kostyantinivku-minoboroni-1794516645.html)) *Where they agree:* Russian authorities published a demining video and claimed control over Kostiantynivka, proposing a humanitarian mission in the city ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Выдали Торецк за Константиновку: Минобороны РФ опозорилось с "разминированием" города](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vidali-toretsk-kostyantinivku-minoboroni-1794516645.html) - Primary source: RBC-Ukraine citing OSINT researcher Bielitz. Confirms the publication of the Russian MoD video, distances to Toretsk (19 km) and Pivnichne (21 km), Putin's November 12 statements, and Lytvyn/Lubinets' assessments. Identification of filming locations is an OSINT analysis conclusion. ## FAQ ### Where, according to OSINT data, was the 'demining of Kostiantynivka' video filmed? According to OSINT researcher Bielitz, at least two segments of the video were recorded in occupied Toretsk and Pivnichne, not in Kostiantynivka. ### How far from Kostiantynivka are Toretsk and Pivnichne? Approximately 19 and 21 kilometers from the center of Kostiantynivka. ### What did Putin say on November 12 regarding Kostiantynivka? He proposed conducting a humanitarian mission in the city based on the Oleshky model, claiming it would take about five days to demine approaches, and asserted the city was under Russian control. ### How does Kyiv assess Moscow's initiative? Presidential Advisor Dmytro Lytvyn believes that the Russian Federation may use a humanitarian mission to rotate its military, as in Oleshky.