Putin's Kostiantynivka proposal aims to seize city, push toward Kramatorsk, Zelensky says
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed establishing a temporary “humanitarian mission” in the embattled eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, which President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 13 could provide Russian forces with an opportunity to enter and occupy the city.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a temporary "humanitarian mission" in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky warned that this move could allow Russian forces to enter and occupy the city. Zelensky mentioned that the proposal was relayed to him by U.S. negotiators, specifically Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, during a meeting in Moscow on November 12.
Zelensky emphasized that Kostiantynivka remains a significant barrier to Russia's objective of seizing the rest of the region and that giving up the city could lead to Ukraine losing other Donbas cities. Ukraine has rejected Russia's claim of control over Kostiantynivka, with its forces still engaged in combat against Russian troops attempting to infiltrate the town.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn questioned Russia's intent, comparing it to a previous humanitarian operation in Oleshky, which he alleged was used to move troops and deploy reinforcements under a temporary ceasefire.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
