Ukraine fears Russian troop rotation under humanitarian mission proposal in Kostiantynivka

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a humanitarian mission in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, following the Oleshky precedent, raising concerns in Kyiv about a potential Russian troop rotation under the guise of a ceasefire. Putin suggested entrusting the mission's organization to the human rights commissioners of Ukraine and Russia, presenting the initiative during a Kremlin meeting with US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Russian aide Yuri Ushakov said American negotiators actively supported the idea, while Putin claimed Kostiantynivka is under Russian control, a statement analysts from the Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState dispute, noting Russian forces hold only parts of the city's eastern and southwestern outskirts. Ukrainian presidential advisor Dmytro Lytvyn warned Russia may use a ceasefire for troop rotation, as allegedly occurred in Oleshky, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia conducted covert military movements under humanitarian cover. Kostiantynivka remains a key Ukrainian logistical hub, with 15 attacks reported there on November 10.