Russia has claimed its forces are pushing into the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk for the first time, a move that could create new problems for Kyiv’s stretched-out forces. The Russian military’s 90th tank division reportedly reached the border with Donetsk and then continued into Dnipropetrovsk, although details of the advance are unclear.
Ukraine has denied the claim, with Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia forces, stating that Moscow is spreading false information about its military movements. The Russian advance would be a setback for Ukrainian forces at a time when peace talks have stalled, and could put pressure on their grip on the key hub of Pokrovsk.
Russia now controls around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine occupied before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, said that Russia will push forward with its Dnipropetrovsk offensive after Ukraine refused to recognize Russia’s territorial gains during peace talks.
The region is more sparsely populated and rural than other areas in Donbas, making it harder to defend. It is an important mining and logistics center with a population of around three million before the war began. The advance comes as tensions are high, following a failed prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine on Saturday.
A planned prisoner exchange had been agreed upon during direct peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, but a date for the repatriation of soldiers’ remains has yet to be set. Ukrainian officials say they are strictly adhering to the agreements reached in Istanbul and that “repatriation measures” will start next week.
Meanwhile, Ukraine conducted an audacious drone attack on Russia last Sunday, taking out multiple aircraft, and attempted a strike on the bridge connecting Russia to Crimea using underwater explosives on Monday. Peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow are ongoing, but no major breakthroughs were reached during a second round of talks in Istanbul.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/08/europe/russia-claims-offensive-dnipropetrovsk-intl