Ukraine Denies Russian Capture of Key Eastern City Kostiantynivka

Ukraine's General Staff on Saturday denied Russian claims that Moscow's forces had captured the key eastern city of Kostiantynivka. "We deny this. These are more fake claims," a General Staff official said. The General Staff said Kostiantynivka remained under the control of Ukrainian forces, and that military units continue defensive operations within the city and on its approaches.

Russia's military told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that its forces had taken control of Kostiantynivka, a strategic target long sought in Moscow's advance through the Donetsk region. Kostiantynivka is the southernmost of four key settlements forming a defensive line central to Ukraine's effort to hold the heavily industrialized Donetsk region.

Analysts say capturing Kostiantynivka would give Russian forces a foothold to push north along the defensive belt, now the main axis of their campaign. Russia's military has for some time reported controlling parts of Kostiantynivka, one of several heavily fortified cities that make up Ukraine's so-called "fortress belt" in Donetsk.