Ukrainian forces have admitted that Russia's military has crossed into the eastern industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk and is attempting to establish a foothold.
Viktor Trehubov, of the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group of Troops, stated this marks the first substantial attack in Dnipropetrovsk. Although he emphasized that the advance has been halted.
Reports from Russia throughout the summer have claimed an offensive in the area, suggesting efforts to push deeper into Ukrainian territory from the Donetsk region.
In earlier claims, Russian officials indicated an offensive was underway in Dnipropetrovsk, yet the latest assessments suggest only minimal progress across the regional borders.
The potential Russian advancement poses a serious blow to Ukrainian morale, coinciding with dwindling diplomatic efforts directed at resolving the conflict.
Mapping projects like Ukrainian DeepState indicated that Russian forces have now occupied two villages, namely Zaporizke and Novohryhorivka. However, Ukraine's armed forces have denied these claims, asserting control over Zaporizke and confirming ongoing active hostilities around Novohryhorivka.
Moscow has not explicitly claimed Dnipropetrovsk, contrasting its stance on other eastern regions. Still, it has launched attacks on major cities, including Dnipro, the regional capital.
Before the war erupted, Dnipropetrovsk was home to over three million residents and ranked as Ukraine's second-largest industrial hub after Donbas.
Despite Russian forces facing substantial casualties, there have been recent gains in Donetsk, amidst indications that their advancement remains slow.
The ongoing war raises significant concerns about the geopolitical implications, as both Ukrainian and international leaders express urgency for a more robust response to Russia's aggressive maneuvers.
