CNN
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Russia claimed on Sunday that its forces were for the first time pushed into the central Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, which has been trying to reach for months in a move that could cause new problems for Kiev’s much-tatacked troops.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, subunits from the 90th tank division of the Russian army reached the border of Dnipropetrovsk in the Donetsk region, most of which are already under Russian occupation. After this they followed Dnipropetrovsk, the Ministry of Defense claimed.
As with Moscow’s ambitions for the attack, the scope of the advance is unknown. CNN is unable to verify battlefield reports, and Ukraine has not confirmed Russia’s advance.
However, if confirmed, Russia’s advancement would be a setback for the Ukrainian forces when peace talks are stagnating. The Russian army has also made progressive progress in recent weeks in the North Smee region and near the Leiman in Donetsk.
Russia’s advance will also put even more pressure on the Ukrainian grip on the town of Pokrovsk, a keyhab that has been attacking Russian attacks for months. Ukrainian general staff said on Sunday morning the troops had stopped 65 “aggressive” Russian actions in Pokrovsk direction.
The War Research Institute (ISW) assessment of the Russian attack campaign found that Russian troops continued their offensive operations in the direction of Pokrovsk on Saturday but did not advance.
Dnipropetrovsk is adjacent to three regions partially occupied by Russia (Donetsk, Herson and Zapolizia).
One of Russia’s declared goals is to acquire all three regions. It already occupies everything except Luhansk, the Slither of the fourth region.
Dnipropetrovsk is sparsely populated and rural and more difficult to defend than the four regions known as Donbas. This was an important mining and logistics centre, and had an estimated population of 3 million before the war began.
The Russian claim comes days after its forces have advanced further in the North Smee region, bringing the region’s capital within the range of drones and artillery.
Capturing the region’s capital, also known as Smie, is likely beyond what Moscow is trying to do, the move underscores the pressure under which Kiev is underneath, from the northern border to the Black Sea.
