Ukraine denies Russia’s claim of Kostiantynivka capture

Ukrainian military officials have firmly denied Russian claims that the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region has been captured, asserting that Ukrainian forces remain in control amid ongoing intense urban combat. The denial, issued on Saturday, July 4, directly responds to statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier, in which he declared the city's capture.

During a visit to a command post on Friday, July 3, Putin was told by General Valery Gerasimov, head of Russia's General Staff, that Russian forces had liberated Kostiantynivka. The Russian Defense Ministry subsequently released footage purporting to show its troops in the city. Putin also claimed Russia now fully controls the Luhansk region and announced plans to expand a security zone within Ukrainian territory, specifically citing operations in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Ukrainian authorities rejected these assertions. A spokesperson for the General Staff, Major Andrii Kovaliov, stated that data from Ukraine's military operational systems confirms the city is under Ukrainian control. The military's East Group of Forces command said active combat operations are ongoing in certain...