Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Control Over Kostiantynivka Amid Ceasefire Dispute

On Sunday, July 5, 2026, Russia's Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of rejecting a proposed ceasefire in Kostiantynivka, a city in the Donetsk region. The ceasefire was intended to facilitate the handover of fallen Ukrainian soldiers' bodies, but Ukraine denies any loss of control over the city. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia's claims 'another Russian lie.'

Ceasefire Proposal and Ukrainian Response

The Russian ministry suggested a six-hour ceasefire in Kostiantynivka set for Monday, July 6, giving Kyiv until 0900 GMT on Sunday to respond. Ukraine's refusal to accept this proposal has escalated tensions, as Russian officials claim that Ukrainian shelling continues unabated.

President Zelenskyy dismissed the assertion that Russian forces have taken control of Kostiantynivka, stating, “Of course, that is not true. If Kostiantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war.”

Russian Claims and Military Developments

Russia has claimed control over Kostiantynivka since Friday, July 3, asserting that this city is a strategic target in their ongoing offensive in the Donetsk region. Ukraine, however, maintains that its forces are still in control, and Zelenskyy’s comments reflect a broader strategy of countering Russian narratives.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, ridiculed Zelenskyy’s suggestion of a meeting in Kostiantynivka, asserting that the city is already part of Russia. He reiterated the Kremlin's invitation for Zelenskyy to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, which has been rejected by the Ukrainian president.

International Responses and Ongoing Conflict

In a related development, one person was reported killed in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea, according to Russian officials. The Kremlin-installed regional Governor Sergei Aksyonov reported two additional injuries, one of which is serious.

The ongoing conflict, now in its fifth year, has seen renewed discussions about potential resolutions. Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump offered to assist in finding a solution during a phone call with both Zelenskyy and Putin. Trump emphasized the urgency to end the conflict, stating, “The battlefield has clearly frozen over the last couple of months and neither side is making a lot of progress.”