Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Capturing Kostiantynivka

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine's General Staff have refuted Russian assertions that its forces have captured the strategically important eastern city of Kostiantynivka. Russia's Ministry of Defense had informed President Vladimir Putin on Friday that their troops had taken control of the city, a long-sought objective in their Donetsk region offensive. Zelensky dismissed the Russian claims as "another Russian lie" intended to create a false narrative. He suggested that if Kostiantynivka were indeed under Russian control, Putin would readily agree to a meeting there to pursue diplomatic solutions to the conflict. The General Staff confirmed that Ukrainian forces continue to hold defensive positions within and around the city. Kostiantynivka is a critical component of Ukraine's defense line in the heavily industrialized Donetsk region, forming the southernmost point of four key settlements. Analysts suggest that its capture would provide Russian forces a crucial staging ground for further advances northward along this defensive belt, which is currently the primary focus of Russia's campaign. Russia has previously reported controlling sections of Kostiantynivka, a city identified as part of Ukraine's fortified "fortress belt" in Donetsk.