Ukraine Rejects Russian Claim of Capture of Kostiantynivka

On 3 July 2026 the Russian military reported that its forces had seized Kostiantynivka, a frontline city in Donetsk. The next day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the General Staff said Ukrainian units still controlled the city and its approaches.

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing KostiantynivkaVolodymyr Zelenskyy denies Russian capture of KostiantynivkaUnited24 Media

Kostiantynivka lies about 24 km southeast of Kramatorsk and anchors the southern end of Ukraine’s “fortress belt” of four fortified cities in Donetsk. Holding the city blocks a northward Russian advance toward the belt’s core.

UsNews and World Report

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Ukrainian President

United24 Media

• Vladimir Putin – Russian President

United24 Media

• Dmitry Peskov – Kremlin spokesman

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

• Major Andriy Kovalev – Ukrainian General Staff spokesperson

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

• General Valery Gerasimov – Russian General Staff chief

Kyiv Independent

• 19th Army Corps – Ukrainian defensive formation

Volodymyr Zelenskyy denies Russian capture of Kostiantynivka

• Russian Defence Ministry – Russian authority reporting village captures

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

• Russian claim: 11 assaults on 3 July, none succeeded.

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

• Russian Defence Ministry announced capture of five villages: Shyikivka, Novyi Myr, Cherneshchyna, Druzhelyubivka (Kharkiv) and Vasylivka (Donetsk).

UsNews and World Report

• Ukrainian sources say over 100 Russian soldiers entered the city by early June.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy denies Russian capture of Kostiantynivka

• Pre-war population of Kostiantynivka: ~67,000.

UsNews and World Report

Ukraine’s General Staff said military units of the 19th Army Corps continue defensive operations on designated lines in the town and its approaches. President Zelenskyy called the Russian claim false and a news-generating lie. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the capture as the first important stage in seizing the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk defensive hub.

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

Russian officials assert full control of Kostiantynivka, while Ukrainian authorities maintain that the city remains under Ukrainian defense. No independent verification of the city’s status has been reported, leaving the factual situation unresolved. Ukrainian officials label the Russian claim as disinformation, highlighting the broader information battle.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy denies Russian capture of KostiantynivkaZelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing KostiantynivkaKyiv Independent

• “Of course, that is not true. It is just another Russian lie, an attempt to generate some kind of a news story,” — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via X

UsNews and World Report

• “ "If Kostiantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war.” — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, via X

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

• “The main news is that Kostiantynivka has been completely taken,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman

Zelenskyy rejects Russian claim of capturing Kostiantynivka

• “During July 3, the enemy carried out 11 assaults in the specified direction, but no success was achieved. Instead, the enemy, not for the first time, resorts to the dissemination of outright disinformation and fakes by the highest officials,” — Major Andriy Kovalev, Ukrainian General Staff spokesperson

Kyiv Independent

Zelenskyy invited Putin to meet in Kostiantynivka if the Russian claim were true, linking the dispute to possible diplomatic talks. Both sides continue operations, and the city’s status will shape future military and political moves.

United24 Media