Russia says its troops have entered central Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, signalling a potential shift in battlefield dynamics
Russia’s claim of progress into a strategically vital region of Ukraine comes amid deadlocked peace talks and rising pressure on Kyiv’s overstretched defences.
Key Points:
- Russian military officials say troops have advanced into Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time.
- The claim remains unverified by independent sources or Ukrainian authorities.
- Civilians in eastern Ukraine continue to face deadly strikes, with at least 14 killed over the weekend, including children.
- Peace negotiations stalled as Russia reiterates demands Ukraine and its allies view as nonstarters.
- Ukrainian drone activity triggered shutdowns at multiple Moscow airports and a fire at a Russian chemical plant.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday that its forces, specifically subunits from the 90th tank division, have entered Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region after advancing from Donetsk, where Russian troops already hold significant territory.
The statement, if accurate, marks a notable shift in the war’s geography. Dnipropetrovsk serves as a key industrial and mining hub in central Ukraine, and further Russian gains in the area could threaten Ukraine’s military logistics and economic base.
As of Sunday morning, neither Ukraine’s military command nor key open-source intelligence trackers, including the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Ukraine’s DeepState platform, had confirmed the claim.
The potential breakthrough comes amid broader reports of incremental Russian gains, including in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, where open-source maps suggest Moscow has captured roughly 190 square kilometres over the past month.
Military analysts say if Russia consolidates gains in Dnipropetrovsk — a region not formally claimed by Moscow but bordering already-occupied territories — it could significantly challenge Kyiv’s war strategy. The development follows months of slow but steady Russian advances across multiple fronts.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face mounting civilian casualties. Over the weekend, at least 14 people were killed and 68 wounded in Russian strikes targeting the Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions, according to Ukraine’s National Police. The attacks involved missiles, guided aerial bombs, and drones and hit both residential buildings and public infrastructure, including a children’s music school.
On the diplomatic front, peace talks remain frozen. In a recent round of negotiations held in Istanbul, Russia reiterated longstanding demands: Ukrainian withdrawal from the frontlines, a complete halt to Western arms deliveries, and the abandonment of NATO accession. Ukraine and its allies, including the United States and European Union, have rejected those terms outright. The Kremlin has also ignored calls from U.S. President Donald Trump and other leaders for an immediate ceasefire.
Kyiv is increasingly responding with long-range drone attacks. Over the weekend, a Ukrainian drone reportedly caused a fire at a chemical plant in Russia’s Tula region. Multiple international airports serving Moscow, including Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky, temporarily suspended flights following reported drone threats.
Although the Kremlin’s Dnipropetrovsk claim remains unverified, the messaging underscores Moscow’s efforts to project momentum. If validated, the advance would extend the battlefield further into central Ukraine, posing new challenges for Kyiv’s defence posture.
Sources: CNN, RadioFreeEurope
