Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Capturing Kostiantynivka

The Ukrainian military has officially denied statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin claiming that Russian forces have captured the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrinform reported.

In a statement released on Saturday, July 4, the Ukrainian Group of Forces “East” confirmed that Kostiantynivka remains under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The military command reported that active combat operations are ongoing in certain urban areas as Ukrainian troops engage Russian forces attempting to infiltrate the city.

According to the statement, Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian troop concentrations and logistical routes on the approaches to the settlement. The “East” command characterized the Russian claims of occupation as an attempt by Moscow to fabricate battlefield successes to offset operational failures and high personnel losses.

Major Andrii Kovaliov, a spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, confirmed to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency that the Russian President’s claims regarding Kostiantynivka are false.

Kovaliov stated that data from Ukraine’s military operational systems confirms the city is under Ukrainian control. “Military units and subdivisions of the 19th Army Corps of the ‘East’ Group of Forces continue to conduct a defensive operation on designated lines within the settlement and on its approaches,” Kovaliov said.

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Background of Russian claims and strategic announcements

The Ukrainian refutation responds directly to statements made by Putin on Friday, July 3. During a visit to an auxiliary command post of the Russian Joint Group of Forces, Putin claimed that the Russian military had fully captured Kostiantynivka and the entirety of the Luhansk region, while making significant advances in the Donetsk region.

During the same visit, the Russian President announced that Moscow will continue conducting mass strikes against Ukrainian territory. Putin stated that kinetic operations targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and the infrastructure supporting its functions will proceed.

Additionally, Putin stated that Russian forces plan to expand a “security zone” within Ukrainian territory, specifically citing operations in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. He framed this planned expansion as a response to recent Ukrainian strikes targeting infrastructure within Russian borders.