Ukraine has denied Russia's announcement that its forces have captured the strategic city of Kostyantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region. A Ukrainian army spokesman told AFP that the city remains under Kyiv's control, while President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Moscow's claim as 'a lie'. This comes after Russia also claimed that Ukrainian drones had struck St. Petersburg.
Ongoing Conflict and Strategic Importance
Kostyantynivka, with a pre-war population of 78,000, has been a key target for the Kremlin for months. Capturing this city is crucial for Russia as it is one of the final obstacles on the route to the major Ukrainian-held cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. The Kremlin's ultimate goal in the Donbas region is to seize these cities.
Contradictory Claims and Military Tactics
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a military uniform, thanked troops for seizing Kostyantynivka on Friday. However, Ukrainian army spokesman Andriy Kovalyov insisted that Kostyantynivka is still under the control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces. Kovalyov admitted that small groups of Russian troops have been infiltrating the town but emphasized that fighting is ongoing.
Humanitarian Pause Proposal and Diplomatic Efforts
Moscow's defence ministry proposed a halt in shelling in Kostyantynivka on Monday to carry out a 'humanitarian' operation to hand over the bodies of killed Ukrainian soldiers. Both Zelensky and Putin spoke with US President Donald Trump about the conflict ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, with Zelensky expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution.
Escalating Strikes and Retaliation
The claims came as Russia reported Ukrainian drone strikes on an oil terminal in Saint Petersburg, a port near Finland, and the historical Peterhof complex. Moscow vowed to respond, claiming it downed almost 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 of Kyiv's Flamingo missiles overnight. Ukraine has been increasing strikes on Russian territory in retaliation for Moscow's offensive.
