Russian Forces Claim Advance into Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukraine Denies
On Sunday, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its troops had entered Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time, pushing in from the neighboring Donetsk region, which is partly under Russian control. If true, this could create new challenges for Ukraine’s already strained military.
However, Ukraine denies the claim. Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian forces in the area, told CNN that Russia is spreading false information and that no such advance has happened.
The exact situation on the ground is unclear. If Russia has indeed moved into Dnipropetrovsk, it would be a setback for Ukraine, especially as peace talks between the two countries have stalled.
Russian forces have also made small gains in other areas, including the northern Sumy region and near Lyman in Donetsk. Their push could also threaten the Ukrainian-held town of Pokrovsk, which has been under heavy attack for months.
Dnipropetrovsk is a key region, bordered by three partially Russian-occupied areas: Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Russia aims to fully control these regions, along with Luhansk. While Dnipropetrovsk is less populated than other areas, it is important for mining and logistics.
The war has escalated recently, with Ukraine striking Russian military sites and a key bridge to Crimea, while Russia has stepped up attacks. Peace talks in Istanbul this week made little progress, and critics accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of prolonging negotiations to seize more land.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged both sides to negotiate but has not imposed new sanctions on Russia, despite pressure from lawmakers. On Thursday, Trump compared the war to children fighting, saying sometimes it’s better to let them “fight for a while” before stepping in. He also suggested he might sanction both Russia and Ukraine if the conflict continues.
The situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to battle for control.
