In a notable development, Russia has announced its advance into Ukraine’s eastern Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time since its invasion began three years ago. This marks a significant territorial escalation amid ongoing, yet stalled, peace negotiations.
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While Ukraine’s top political and military leaders have yet to respond, this potential advance represents a symbolic and strategic setback after months of difficulties on the battlefield. As Russia continues to hold the initiative across much of the front, it has repeatedly dismissed pleas from Ukraine, Europe, and U.S. President Donald Trump for an unconditional ceasefire. Nonetheless, talks between Ukraine and Russia on a possible resolution to the conflict are still underway.
According to Russia’s defense ministry, units from a tank division have “reached the western border of the Donetsk People’s Republic and are continuing to pursue an offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region.”
Importantly, Dnipropetrovsk is not among the five Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea—that Russia has overtly claimed as its own. During negotiations in Istanbul on June 2, Moscow demanded formal recognition of these regions as Russian territory, a request Kyiv has consistently rejected.
In an earlier round of talks, Ukrainian officials reported that Russia had threatened to escalate its offensive should Ukraine fail to capitulate. This war has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displacing millions and reducing entire cities and villages across eastern Ukraine to ruins through relentless airstrikes and ground combat.
As Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy chairman of the national security council, stated, “Those who do not want to recognize the realities of the war at negotiations will receive new realities on the ground.” This sentiment highlights the seriousness of the situation as illustrated by Russia’s army posting images of troops raising the Russian flag over the village of Zorya in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Ukrainian Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr, 60, expressed a defiant stance despite the recent advances, stating, “They could say all of Ukraine belongs to them. Saying it is one thing. But I don’t think it will radically change the situation. Our resistance will remain unchanged.” He acknowledged that while the Russians were making slow progress, it was important to maintain resolve.
Dnipropetrovsk boasted a population of approximately three million before the onset of the offensive, with around one million residing in its capital, Dnipro. As a significant mining and industrial center for Ukraine, further Russian advancements could severely impact the country’s already struggling military and economy. According to certain military personnel, the largely flat terrain of the region may facilitate quicker advancements for Russian forces, given the lack of natural obstacles or defensible positions available for Ukrainian troops.
Moreover, Dnipro has been under continuous Russian bombardment since the invasion commenced in February 2022. Notably, Russia tested its “experimental” Oreshnik missile on this city in late 2024, claiming to have targeted an aeronautics production facility.
In other news, Ukraine announced that a prisoner exchange—the only agreement reached during the Istanbul talks—will begin “next week.” Both sides have accused each other of attempting to hinder the process. Russia alleges that Ukraine is refusing to accept the bodies of fallen soldiers, while Ukraine claims that Russia has not provided the names of over 1,000 captured soldiers set for release. Previously, both sides had anticipated that the exchange could occur over the weekend.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked in his evening address, “The Russian side, as usual, is trying to play a dirty, political, information game.” He added that if Russia fails to adhere to the agreement, it “will cast great doubt” on diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
