Pakistan, July 4 -- Ukraine on Saturday denied Russia's claim that it had captured the strategic eastern city of Kostiantynivka. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces still control the city despite Moscow's announcement of its seizure. The dispute highlights the continuing intensity of fighting in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

Russia's military told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that its forces had taken control of Kostiantynivka, a key objective in its offensive across Donetsk. However, Zelensky rejected the claim, calling it another Russian lie aimed at creating a false narrative. He added that if Russia truly controlled the city, Putin could meet him there for peace talks.

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