According to Ukraine’s military, Russia is preparing an attack on Kostyantynivka, a key logistics hub, while Ukrainian troops continue to defend their positions.
The offensive comes amid a sharp dispute over the return of fallen soldiers.
Russia claims it has delivered thousands of Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies to an exchange point near the border and is waiting for confirmation from Kyiv.
Russian General Aleksandr Zorin, who heads Moscow’s negotiation team, said Russia is ready to transfer up to 6,000 bodies using special vehicles and trains.
However, Ukrainian officials accuse Moscow of attempting to unilaterally dictate the terms of the process.
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, called Russia’s actions a "dirty game," warning that the repatriation must be controlled and verifiable, as there is no guarantee that all bodies are in fact Ukrainian.
The two sides previously agreed in Istanbul that prisoner exchanges would also include the return of war dead, but Kyiv says the process is scheduled for next week and should not be rushed or politicized.
Ukrainian officials allege that Russia is using the bodies for propaganda purposes.
On the battlefield, Russia has recently seized over 190 square kilometers in Ukraine’s Sumy region, while Ukraine has carried out drone strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Russian officials say that unless Ukraine accepts Russia’s territorial gains in peace negotiations, military operations will continue.
(ał)
Source: Reuters, PAP