Ukrainian forces have acknowledged that Russian troops attempted to cross into the eastern industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk in what Kyiv described as the first assault of such scale in the area.
“This is the first attack of such a large scale in Dnipropetrovsk region,” said Viktor Trehubov, of the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group of Troops. He stressed, however, that Ukrainian forces had stopped the advance.
Russia has long claimed progress in Dnipropetrovsk as part of its bid to push deeper from neighbouring Donetsk, but until now Ukrainian officials had denied significant breaches. In early June, Russian officials claimed a new offensive was underway, though the latest reports suggest Moscow’s forces have barely crossed the regional border.
The Ukrainian DeepState mapping project assessed on Tuesday that Russia had taken control of two villages inside the region Zaporizke and Novohryhorivka. But Ukraine’s armed forces general staff disputed that claim, insisting they “continue to control Zaporizke” and that “active hostilities are also ongoing” around Novohryhorivka.
Although Moscow has not formally laid claim to Dnipropetrovsk unlike Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson it has repeatedly targeted the regional capital, Dnipro, and other cities. An overnight strike on Wednesday also hit the energy sector in neighbouring Poltava.
The region, with a pre-war population of more than three million, is Ukraine’s second-largest hub of heavy industry after the Donbas. A Russian foothold there would represent a major blow to Ukrainian morale, particularly as US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war appear to be losing momentum despite recent meetings between President Donald Trump, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
Earlier this month, Russian infantry made a sudden 10km push near Dobropillia in Donetsk but were eventually halted. Ukrainian officials fear Moscow could attempt a similar tactic in Dnipropetrovsk.
Diplomatic talks remain fragile. Putin reportedly told Trump he would consider ending the war if Kyiv surrendered the parts of Donetsk still under Ukrainian control. Many in Kyiv remain sceptical, with Col Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of the presidential office, warning that Russia’s true objective is to seize all territory east of the Dnipro River. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also cautioned that any land-for-peace arrangement would be “a trap,” stressing that Moscow has made no concessions.
Trump has floated hosting a summit between Putin and Zelensky, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said “the agenda is not ready at all” and dismissed Western efforts to secure guarantees without Moscow’s involvement as “pointless.”
Meanwhile, Western powers have signalled readiness to deepen commitments to Ukraine. In Kyiv, President Zelensky met Britain’s top military officer, Adm Sir Tony Radakin, as the UK government said it would be prepared to deploy troops after hostilities ended. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said long-term security guarantees for Kyiv were essential, urging Putin to take Zelensky’s readiness for talks seriously.
On the home front, Ukraine has eased its travel restrictions, allowing men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the measure was designed to preserve ties with Ukrainians abroad, noting that the age group is not subject to conscription. An estimated 5.6 million Ukrainian men currently live outside the country.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on: