Zelenskyy Dismisses Russian Claim of Capturing Kostiantynivka as Another Lie.

Escalating Tensions Around Kostiantynivka

According to Espreso.tv: Russia's state-owned news agency TASS recently announced that its forces had taken control of Kostiantynivka, a claim swiftly rejected by Ukrainian military officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly denied the report, calling it a deliberate manipulation by Moscow's leadership. He stressed that this statement is part of a broader Russian disinformation campaign aimed at polishing the Kremlin's image. The denial comes amid ongoing fierce battles in eastern Ukraine, where control of towns like Kostiantynivka remains hotly contested.

Located in the Donetsk region, Kostiantynivka has become a flashpoint of conflicting narratives between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Russia continues to refer to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a “special military operation,” a framing that underscores the propaganda tactics employed by the Kremlin.

'Of course, this is not true – it is just another Russian lie meant to generate some kind of headline…' Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president further stated that if Kostiantynivka were actually under Russian control, President Putin would have no difficulty engaging in direct diplomatic talks with him to negotiate an end to the war. However, as Zelenskyy pointed out, 'he will not cross the front line: the truth is very different from Putin's words.'

The Role of Information Warfare

This statement was made just ahead of the U.S. Independence Day, suggesting a Russian attempt to shape international public opinion amid its conflict with Ukraine. Ukrainian leadership, however, continues to insist that the situation on the front lines remains firmly under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The episode highlights the complexities of the information war, where both sides strive to control narratives surrounding the conflict. Such claims can significantly affect international support for Ukraine and global perceptions of the war. For this reason, Ukrainian authorities are actively countering disinformation to maintain trust in their military and government.