UNIPA News(Moscow) 05 July-Ukraine on Saturday denied Russia’s claim that its forces had captured the eastern city of Kostyantynivka, a key Ukrainian defensive position in the Donetsk region, saying the city remains under the control of Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Kovalyov acknowledged that fighting around the city remains intense but said Ukrainian forces continue to hold their defensive positions. He confirmed that small groups of Russian soldiers had infiltrated parts of the city but stressed that combat operations were ongoing.
President Volodymyr Zelensky also rejected Moscow’s announcement, describing it as “another Russian lie.” He said that if Russia had truly taken control of Kostyantynivka, President Vladimir Putin would have no reason to avoid direct negotiations in the city.
Russia announced on Friday that its forces had captured Kostyantynivka, with President Vladimir Putin thanking troops for the operation. The Russian Defense Ministry later stated that its forces were present throughout the city.
Kostyantynivka is considered a strategically important stronghold in eastern Ukraine and lies on the route to the Ukrainian-held cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, both key objectives in Russia’s campaign to seize the Donbas region.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also proposed a temporary ceasefire in Kostyantynivka on Monday to facilitate what it described as a humanitarian operation for the transfer of the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
Meanwhile, Russia reported a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack targeting several regions, including Saint Petersburg. Russian officials said drones struck an oil terminal in the city, while another attack targeted the port of Vysotsk near the Finnish border. Authorities also reported that drone debris fell near the historic Peterhof palace complex without causing casualties or significant damage.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted nearly 500 Ukrainian drones and 10 missiles overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said dozens of drones aimed at the Russian capital were also intercepted.
Ukrainian President Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had targeted the Kronstadt naval base near Saint Petersburg as part of continued strikes on Russian military infrastructure.
Russian regional authorities reported damage to infrastructure in the Belgorod region, resulting in temporary disruptions to electricity and water supplies. Officials also reported one fatality in the Bryansk region and another in Russian-controlled Crimea.
Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes against military and energy infrastructure inside Russia in recent months, while Moscow continues its offensive in eastern Ukraine amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war.
