Russia says Ukraine rejected a six-hour ceasefire to hand over bodies in Kostiantynivka, as both sides dispute control of the eastern city

Battle for Kostiantynivka

Russian and Ukrainian forces have been fighting for months over Kostiantynivka, a strategic city in the Donetsk region that Moscow sees as a gateway to Kramatorsk. On Friday, the Kremlin claimed its troops had taken control, but Ukraine immediately denied it. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the claim "just another Russian lie" and said fighting was ongoing. The Ukrainian military published videos of soldiers in the city, and a spokesman said 11 Russian assaults were repelled on Friday alone. Russian troops have advanced south of a river that cuts through the town and have been spotted in some parts, including the city centre, but Ukrainian forces hold designated lines.

Fighting is also continuing for Kostiantynivka, which Putin has already claimed as his own, but it is obvious that he will never dare to appear there.

Ceasefire proposal and rejection

On Sunday, Russia's Defence Ministry said it had proposed a six-hour local ceasefire in and around Kostiantynivka for Monday, to facilitate the handover of Ukrainian soldiers' bodies. It gave Kyiv until 0900 GMT on Sunday to respond. Later that day, the ministry accused Ukraine of refusing to halt shelling, effectively rejecting the offer. Ukraine's defence ministry and general staff did not immediately comment on the claim.

Kostiantynivka was already a part of Russia and the Kremlin's invitation for Zelenskyy to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow still stood.

Diplomatic flurry before NATO summit

Zelensky warned on Sunday that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a new large-scale attack ahead of this week's NATO summit in Ankara. He is expected to meet US President Donald Trump there. Both leaders spoke by phone on Saturday: Trump and Putin talked for nearly 90 minutes, with Trump offering to help find a solution to the war, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. Zelensky and Trump also spoke, discussing the 1,200 km front line and agreeing to continue talks in person at the summit.

There is a real prospect to end this war and American resolve will have a crucial meaning.

Strikes and casualties

At least four people were killed by Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine on Sunday. Earlier in the week, a Russian strike on Kyiv killed 30 people. In Russian-occupied Crimea, one person died in a Ukrainian attack, with two others injured, according to the Kremlin-installed governor. Zelensky said Ukrainian strikes on Russia were "every single day delivering results" and that pressure must be maintained to bring peace.