Russia Captures First Village in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Region
Moscow's military advances into the region amid stalled ceasefire talks and ongoing missile barrage.
Russian forces have claimed their first village capture in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Moscow.
This development has been marked by a psychological blow to Kyiv as Russian military advancements continue.
The claim comes after months of ground progression toward the Ukrainian border.
In response to this strategic maneuver, Russia launched a significant drone and missile assault on Ukraine's army recruitment centers.
This escalation in attacks coincides with stalled ceasefire negotiations led by the United States.The Russian defense ministry announced the capture of Dachne village in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an area known for its industrial and mining activities that have been increasingly targeted by Russian air strikes.
The region's strategic importance is highlighted by Russia's apparent objective to cross the border and advance deeper into Ukrainian territory, which could present logistical and economic challenges for Kyiv.
However, Kyiv has refuted these claims of a Russian foothold in Dnipropetrovsk.Notably, Moscow initially stated last month that its forces had crossed the border, marking more than three years since the launch of the invasion and subsequent advances into the neighboring Donetsk region.
Prior to this announcement, Ukraine's army asserted their successful repulsion of attacks in Dnipropetrovsk, including near the village of Dachne.The ongoing conflict has seen Russia claim other Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Kherson, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea—but Dnipropetrovsk is not among these.
Recently, Russia utilized Dnipro as a testing ground for its 'Oreshnik' missile, claiming to target an aerospace production facility.In response to the ongoing hostilities, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine emphasized the importance of air defense in protecting lives, as concerns grow over continued U.S. military aid deliveries.
The Ukrainian army reported at least four fatalities and dozens of injuries across the country, primarily in regions bordering Russia and in an attack on the industrial city of Zaporizhzhia.The escalation is further observed in targeted strikes against Ukrainian recruitment centers, with four individuals wounded following Monday's attacks.
These assaults appear to be part of a broader Russian strategy aimed at hindering Ukraine's mobilization efforts.
Similar strikes have been reported over the weekend and last week in cities such as Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rig, and Poltava.Conversely, Russia's defense ministry claimed success in shooting down 91 Ukrainian drones overnight, with eight of these downed in the Moscow region.
This back-and-forth military action marks a complex phase in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.