Ukraine has refused to halt shelling of the town of ​Kostiantynivka in the east of ‌the country to allow Russia to hand over the bodies of fallen ​Ukrainian soldiers, the Russian ​Defence Ministry said on Sunday.

Russian military ⁠commanders told President Vladimir Putin ​on Friday that Moscow’s forces ​had taken control of Kostiantynivka, though Ukraine denied the claim, saying its forces remained in ​control of the town.

Kostiantynivka is ​a key locality whose capture Moscow has ‌long sought in its military campaign in the Donetsk region.

Russia said it had proposed a six-hour ceasefire in ​and around ​Kostiantynivka on ⁠Monday to facilitate the handover of Ukrainian servicemen’s ​bodies and had given ​Kyiv ⁠until 0900 GMT on Sunday to respond.

Ukraine’s defence ministry and general ⁠staff ​did not immediately respond ​to an emailed request for comment.