Kyiv Rejects Ceasefire over Body Recovery, Moscow Says

Ukraine has refused to halt shelling of the strategic eastern town of Kostiantynivka to allow Russian forces to recover the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, Russia's Ministry of Defense said on Sunday.

According to the Moscow statement, Russia proposed a six-hour local ceasefire in the city and its immediate surroundings on Monday, aimed at safely facilitating the humanitarian transport of the bodies. Kyiv was given until 9 a.m. CET on Sunday to provide an official response.

Russian military commanders had already told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that their troops had taken full control of Kostiantynivka. Ukraine immediately denied the claim, saying its forces continued to hold the city firmly and were continuing combat operations there.

Kostiantynivka is a key location in the Donetsk region, which Moscow has long sought to capture as part of its ongoing military campaign.

Neither Ukraine's Ministry of Defense nor its General Staff of the Armed Forces immediately responded to an email request for comment.

(Reuters, Max)