KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has refused to halt shelling of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine to allow Russia to hand over the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said Sunday.

Russia said that Russian military commanders told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that Moscow’s forces had taken control of Kostiantynivka, while Ukraine denied that claim and said its forces remained in control.

Kostiantynivka is described as a key town Moscow has long sought to capture in the Donetsk region. Russia said it proposed a six-hour ceasefire in and around the town on Monday to facilitate the handover of the bodies, and it gave Kyiv until 0900 GMT on Sunday to respond.

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