Update: Kiev warns that Putin's proposed "humanitarian mission" could be used to advance military goals.
During his Nov. 12 meeting in Moscow with US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Putin claimed that Russian forces were in control of Kostyntinivka and offered to stop fighting to allow civilians to evacuate.
Ukraine rejected the claim of control. Presidential adviser Dmytro Litvin pointed to an earlier Russian-proposed humanitarian operation in Ulshki, Kherson province, which he said was used to rotate troops and bring additional personnel to the area under the auspices of a temporary ceasefire.