Zelensky: Russia's 'humanitarian mission' in Kostiantynivka is a ploy to seize the city

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russia's proposal for a "humanitarian mission" in Kostiantynivka as a primitive ploy to fully capture the city and open the road to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Zelensky stated that Russian claims about civilians are Putin's reaction to failing to seize Kostiantynivka, which Russian forces have been unable to capture for a year and a half. He noted that during a similar operation in Oleshky, Russia brought in equipment and strengthened positions, and he has explained his position to American officials. On November 12, Putin proposed the humanitarian mission during talks with US presidential representatives, following the Oleshky precedent. Ukrainian officials and the Institute for the Study of War warned that Russia could use such an operation for troop rotation and that a ceasefire is impossible given the different frontline situation.