Russian Ministry of Defense

Force in Play

Proposed the local ceasefire and body transfer

Russia says it holds Kostiantynivka. Ukraine says its troops are still fighting inside the city. On July 5, 2026, Russia's Defense Ministry offered a six-hour truce there for July 6 to hand back the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers. Kyiv rejected the offer.

Updated 2 hours ago

Force in Play

Launched year's deadliest Kyiv attack on July 2; Kremlin vowed to 'further ramp up pressure'

Russia hit Kyiv on July 2 with 496 drones and 74 missiles — including four Zircon hypersonics and a record 28 ballistic missiles — killing at least 30 civilians and damaging 130 residential buildings. Ukraine vowed to retaliate and struck the St. Petersburg oil terminal and Port of Vysotsk two nights later.

Updated 13 hours ago

Force in Play

Conducts Russia's side of the exchange and publishes its own count

Russia and Ukraine each handed back 205 prisoners on May 15, the first tranche of a 1,000-for-1,000 swap Donald Trump brokered in early May. Zelenskyy said on May 16 that work on the next round's prisoner lists is ongoing. The swap is still the only deliverable from months of US-led talks.

Updated May 20