Russia Intensifies Offensive in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk Region Amid Stalled Peace Talks

On Sunday, Russia announced its first incursion into Ukraine’s eastern Dnipropetrovsk region during its three-year military campaign, marking a notable escalation in territorial ambitions amid stalled peace negotiations.

Ukraine’s leading political and military figures did not immediately address the assertion, which could deliver both a symbolic and strategic blow to Ukrainian forces after experiencing months of setbacks on the battlefield.

Moscow, which is currently taking the initiative in military operations, has consistently dismissed requests for a total and unconditional ceasefire from Ukraine, Europe, and U.S. President Donald Trump, despite engaging in discussions with Kyiv regarding a potential resolution to the conflict.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, tank units have “reached the western border of the Donetsk People’s Republic and are continuing their offensive in the Dnipropetrovsk region.”

While there was no immediate comment from Kyiv officials regarding these claims, Ukraine’s southern military command stated that Russia “remains intent on advancing into the Dnipropetrovsk region, but our troops are steadfastly and skillfully defending their positions on the frontline.”

Dnipropetrovsk is not included in the five Ukrainian regions — Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea — that Moscow has claimed as Russian territory.

During peace talks in Istanbul on June 2, Russia demanded formal acknowledgment from Ukraine that these regions are part of Russia, a stipulation that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

In a previous round of negotiations last month, Ukraine claimed that Russia threatened to intensify and broaden its military campaign if Kyiv did not concede.

The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, forced millions to flee their homes, and left cities and villages in eastern Ukraine devastated by relentless aerial assaults and ground combat.

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and current deputy chairman of the national security council, stated that this new advance serves as a warning to Kyiv.

“Those unwilling to acknowledge the realities of this war during negotiations will face new realities on the battlefield,” he said via social media.

Photos shared by Russia’s military depicted troops raising the Russian flag in the village of Zorya, located in Ukraine’s Donetsk region near the internal border.

In a statement to AFP, Ukrainian lieutenant colonel Oleksandr, 60, claimed that the entry of Russian forces into the region would not significantly alter the course of the conflict.

“They are making progress slowly, very slowly, yet they are making progress,” he stated from the town of Mezhova, situated about a dozen kilometers from the Dnipropetrovsk-Donetsk regional boundary.

A bombing incident claimed one life there overnight.

Despite the claims of advancement, Oleksandr remained resolute.

“They could assert that all of Ukraine belongs to them. Saying it is one thing, but I don’t believe it will drastically change the situation. Our resistance will remain steadfast.”

Before the onset of Russia’s offensive, Dnipropetrovsk had an estimated population of around 3 million, with about 1 million residing in the regional capital, Dnipro.

It is a vital industrial and mining center for Ukraine, and further Russian advancements in the area could severely impact Kyiv’s struggling military and economy.

Military experts from Ukraine had previously indicated to AFP that Russia could potentially advance quickly in the mostly flat terrain, given the scarcity of natural barriers or villages that could serve as defensive strongholds for Ukrainian forces.

The region, particularly the city of Dnipro, has experienced ongoing Russian bombardments since the invasion began in February 2022.

In late 2024, Russia utilized Dnipro as a testing ground for its “experimental” Oreshnik missile, claiming to have targeted an aeronautics production facility.

Additionally, Ukraine announced on Sunday that a prisoner exchange — the sole agreement reached during the Istanbul discussions — would commence “next week,” following mutual accusations of attempts to hinder and delay the process.

Moscow stated that Ukraine was unwilling to accept the return of the bodies of fallen soldiers, while Kyiv argued that Russia had yet to provide the names of over 1,000 captured soldiers due for release.

Both parties had previously indicated that the exchange could occur over the weekend.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked in an evening address that, as usual, “the Russian side is attempting to engage in a deceitful political and informational game.”

He cautioned that if Russia failed to adhere to the agreement, it “would cast significant doubt” on diplomatic efforts aimed at terminating the ongoing three-year conflict.