French media has described Russia’s intensified attacks in Ukraine’s eastern Dnipropetrovsk region as a strategic and symbolic defeat for Kyiv. Ukrainian military sources claim the area’s geographical features make defense difficult and accelerate Russian advances.
Russia’s first attack on the industrial Dnipropetrovsk region since the war began marks a significant escalation in hostilities, despite the current deadlock in peace negotiations.
France 24 reported that Moscow, which holds battlefield initiative, has repeatedly rejected calls from Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S. president for an unconditional ceasefire.
In last week’s Istanbul talks, Moscow demanded Kyiv withdraw troops from frontlines, halt all Western arms supplies, and abandon its NATO membership aspirations.
Dnipropetrovsk isn’t among the five regions Russia officially claims. As Ukraine’s key mining/industrial hub, further Russian advances could severely strain Kyiv’s military and struggling economy.
Pre-war estimates placed the region’s population at 3 million, including 1 million in its capital Dnipro.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced armored units reached Donetsk People’s Republic’s western border and continue advancing into Dnipropetrovsk. This represents Moscow’s first symbolic/strategic gain after months of setbacks.
France 24 notes Ukraine hasn’t yet responded. Moscow had previously annexed Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia (2022) and Crimea (2014). Recent peace talks required Kyiv to recognize these as Russian territory.
Unlike other conflict zones since 2014, Dnipropetrovsk had avoided fighting until now.
Ukrainian forces told AFP the region’s flat terrain allows faster Russian advances with fewer natural defenses or villages for Ukrainian positions.
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