Recently, Russian President Putin announced that the Russian army has "fully liberated" the Luhansk region and taken control of the important town of Konstantinovka in Donetsk region. According to Reuters report on July 4th, Russia has proposed that Ukrainian troops temporarily stop shelling Konstantinovka, so that the Russian army can hand over the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who were killed in battle.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a statement on the 4th: "As the Russian army enters Konstantinovka and takes full control of the city, the Russian side is prepared to carry out humanitarian operations and transfer the remains of the Ukrainian soldiers who died."
The statement said that Russia suggested a six-hour ceasefire around Konstantinovka on the Moscow time of June 6, in order to carry out the work of handing over the remains. Russia asked Ukraine to respond by the Moscow time of 12:00 on the 5th (17:00 Beijing time).
Reuters noted that Konstantinovka is one of the important nodes for the Ukrainian army to defend Donetsk. After the Russian army takes control of this city, they will have a foothold to advance northward along the defense line.
On July 4, Vice Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Sergei Rutskoy, said in a media briefing that the Russian army has fully taken control of Konstantinovka.
Ukraine denies that Russian troops have taken control of this strategic location. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated on April 4 that the situation in Konstantinovka is severe, but it remains under Ukrainian control. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also posted on social media: "That's not true. If Russia has indeed taken control of Konstantinovka, then Putin would definitely meet with me there."
The Russian side ignored Ukraine's claims, insisting that they had taken control of the city. Russian President's press secretary Peskov said on the 4th that Ukraine originally believed the defensive fortifications in Konstantinovka were "indestructible," but the Russian army proved this to be false. He emphasized that the Russian military would continue with "special military operations."
Peskov also responded to Zelensky’s remarks: “If Zelensky expresses his desire to travel to Russia in this way, then the Kremlin will welcome him.” He added that the capital of Russia is Moscow, not Konstantinovka. As long as Zelensky is ready, he can travel to Moscow to meet with Putin.
