Russia Accuses Ukraine of Rejecting Ceasefire for Soldier Body Handover
The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukraine refused a proposed six-hour ceasefire in Kostiantynivka to facilitate the transfer of fallen Ukrainian soldiers' bodies. Ukraine has denied Russian claims of capturing the town.
On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Ukraine had rejected a proposal for a local ceasefire in the eastern town of Kostiantynivka. The ceasefire would have allowed Russian forces to hand over the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in fighting. According to Moscow, the proposal was for a six-hour halt in hostilities on Monday, with a deadline for Kyiv to respond by 09:00 GMT on Sunday. The Russian military had earlier informed President Vladimir Putin on Friday that it had taken control of Kostiantynivka, a key locality in the Donetsk region whose capture Moscow has long sought in its military campaign. However, Ukraine disputed this claim, stating its forces still held the town. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry and General Staff did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
