Ukraine denies Russian claim of capturing strategic city of Kostiantynivka

Ukraine has strongly denied Russia's claim that it has captured the strategically significant eastern city of Kostiantynivka,

Ukraine has strongly denied Russia’s claim that it has captured the strategically significant eastern city of Kostiantynivka, insisting that its forces remain in control and continue to defend the area against advancing Russian troops.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Moscow’s announcement as false, describing it as another attempt to spread misinformation and create a misleading narrative about the war. In a statement posted on X, Zelensky rejected Russia’s claim outright, saying the city had not fallen and accusing the Kremlin of fabricating battlefield successes.

He also made a pointed remark directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that if Kostiantynivka had truly been captured, Putin should have no difficulty meeting him there to discuss a diplomatic solution to end the conflict. Zelensky’s comments underscored Kyiv’s position that the Russian announcement was intended for propaganda rather than reflecting the reality on the ground.

The Ukrainian General Staff also issued a statement confirming that military units from the 19th Army Corps of the Eastern Grouping continue to conduct defensive operations within the city and along its surrounding approaches. According to the military, Ukrainian forces remain positioned on designated defensive lines and are actively resisting Russian assaults.

Russia’s military had earlier informed President Vladimir Putin that its troops had taken control of Kostiantynivka, marking what it described as another major success in its campaign to seize Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The city has long been one of Moscow’s primary military objectives due to its strategic location and importance within Ukraine’s defensive network.

Kostiantynivka forms the southernmost point of a defensive line consisting of four key settlements that have become central to Ukraine’s efforts to hold the heavily industrialised Donetsk region. The city serves as a vital logistical and military hub, supporting Ukrainian operations across eastern Ukraine and helping maintain supply routes for defending forces.

Military analysts have repeatedly highlighted the city’s significance, noting that capturing Kostiantynivka would provide Russian troops with a valuable staging ground for further advances northward. Such a breakthrough could place additional pressure on Ukraine’s defensive belt and potentially open new routes for Russian forces seeking to expand their control over Donetsk.

The city is also considered part of Ukraine’s so-called “fortress belt” — a network of heavily fortified urban centres that have been strengthened over several years to slow Russian advances. These defensive positions have played an important role in limiting Moscow’s progress despite sustained offensives across the region.

Although Russian military officials have previously claimed to control parts of Kostiantynivka, Ukraine maintains that its troops continue to hold the city and repel repeated attacks. Fighting in and around the area remains intense, with both sides reporting ongoing military operations.

The conflicting claims reflect the broader information battle that has accompanied the war, with Kyiv and Moscow frequently offering sharply different accounts of developments on the battlefield. Independent verification of control over frontline areas remains difficult because of the active fighting and limited access for journalists and international observers.

As the conflict continues, Kostiantynivka remains one of the most contested locations in eastern Ukraine, with its outcome expected to have a significant impact on the wider battle for the Donetsk region.