Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vehemently denied Russian assertions that their forces have captured the strategically important city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. Russia’s military reported the capture to President Putin on Friday, but Zelensky dismissed the claim as "another Russian lie" made to create a false narrative. He challenged Putin to meet him in Kostiantynivka if the claim were true, suggesting a potential diplomatic path to end the war. Ukraine's General Staff also confirmed that Ukrainian forces maintain control of the city and are actively engaged in defensive operations. Kostiantynivka is a key component of Ukraine's defensive line in the industrialised Donetsk region, and its fall would provide Russia with a strategic advantage to advance further north. Analysts believe capturing the city would significantly bolster Russia’s campaign in the area. Russia has previously claimed control over portions of Kostiantynivka, a city heavily fortified as part of Ukraine’s defensive "fortress belt".