Russia Says Ukraine Rejected Proposed Six-Hour Truce Near Kostiantynivka for Body Transfer

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine refused to pause shelling near Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine, preventing Russia from handing over the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Russian authorities said Moscow had proposed a six-hour ceasefire on Monday in and around Kostiantynivka, a logistics hub and key defensive stronghold, and asked Kyiv to respond by 9 a.m. GMT on Sunday. A Russian commander reported to President Vladimir Putin on Friday that Russian forces had taken control of Kostiantynivka, a claim Ukraine denied, saying its troops still hold the town. Ukrainian authorities had not responded to requests for comment.