Ukraine still controls the strategically important eastern city of Kostiantynivka, President Volodymyr Zelensky and the General Staff said on Saturday, rejecting Russian claims that it has been captured.
Russia’s military ignored Zelensky’s assertions, said it was mopping up remaining pockets of resistance and offered to exchange the remains of dead servicemen.
Russian military commanders told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that Moscow’s forces had taken control of Kostiantynivka, a target that Moscow has long sought in its advance through the Donetsk region.
“Of course, that is not true. It is just another Russian lie, an attempt to generate some kind of a news story,” Zelensky said on social media.
“If Kostiantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps [Russian President Vladimir] Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war,” he added.
The General Staff also said Kostiantynivka remained under the control of Ukrainian forces.
