Ukraine denies Russian control of Kostiantynivka, rejects ceasefire

Kostiantynivka, a strategically important city in Donetsk, remains contested as Russia claims capture and Ukraine denies. Russia's Defense Ministry says its forces took control on Friday, but Ukraine's General Staff insists its troops are still defending the city. Source: Moscow Times, Al Jazeera

Russia proposed a six-hour ceasefire on Monday to hand over the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, accusing Ukraine of rejecting the offer. Source: Moscow Times Ukraine did not comment officially. President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged Vladimir Putin to meet him in Kostiantynivka to prove the capture is a lie. Source: Al Jazeera, SCMP Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocked the idea, saying Kostiantynivka is already Russian. Source: Al Jazeera

Both Zelensky and Putin spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday about ending the war. Trump offered to help find a solution, and a senior U.S. official said the battlefield has frozen. Source: Al Jazeera Zelensky and Trump plan to meet at the upcoming NATO summit. Source: Al Jazeera Separately, one person was killed in a Ukrainian attack on Crimea. Source: Al Jazeera