Russia Makes Historic Advancement into Central Ukraine: What This Means for the Conflict | CNN

Russian forces are reportedly advancing into the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. This is significant because parts of this area are already under Russian control. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that its 90th tank division has reached the border, moving deeper into Dnipropetrovsk.

For the first time, Russia is trying to push into this central region. If successful, it could make things harder for the Ukrainian military, which is already stretched thin. However, Ukraine strongly denies that Russian troops have made any gains in this area. Viktor Trehubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia forces, dismissed Russia’s claims as misinformation.

If these advances are confirmed, it could be a significant setback for Ukraine, especially since peace negotiations have stalled. Recent reports suggest that Russia has also been making small gains in the northern Sumy region and near Lyman in Donetsk.

The push into Dnipropetrovsk poses a new threat to the town of Pokrovsk, which has been under Russian attack for months. The Ukrainian General Staff stated it stopped 65 Russian offensive actions in the area recently. In an assessment from the Institute for the Study of War, it was noted that while Russia is continuing its offensive operations, they haven’t yet made substantial progress.

Currently, Russian forces control nearly one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine that were taken before the invasion in February 2022. Dnipropetrovsk is particularly important; it lies next to several regions already occupied by Russia, including Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. One of Russia’s main goals appears to be taking control of all these regions.

Historically, Dnipropetrovsk has been an important hub for mining and logistics, with a pre-war population of about three million. This area is more rural than some of the neighboring regions, which might make it harder to defend.

The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, with Ukraine executing bold drone attacks inside Russia and assaults on key infrastructure, such as bridges to Crimea. Russian advances indicate a rush to secure more territory while attempts at peace talks continue, albeit without notable breakthroughs.

Critics suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prolonging negotiations to seize additional Ukrainian land. Despite claiming a desire for peace, his terms for a ceasefire have been limited and conditional. U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized that there will be consequences for both Russia and Ukraine if they do not engage in his proposed peace process. Recent public statements from him highlight a hands-off approach, suggesting that sometimes conflicts need to play out before resolution.

As the situation develops, both military and diplomatic tensions remain high. The implications for regional stability, humanitarian concerns, and global politics are profound. It will be crucial to monitor how these factors play out in the coming months.

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