Russian Army Announces Offensive in Dnipropetrovsk Region as Peace Talks Stagnate
The Russian military has initiated an attack on the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, raising concerns amidst stalled peace negotiations.
The Russian army announced on June 8, 2025, that it has launched an offensive against the Ukrainian region of Dnipropetrovsk, which borders the partially Russian-controlled regions of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.
This marks a significant development after more than three years of conflict, occurring during a period where peace negotiations have reached an impasse.
In response, the Ukrainian Southern Defense Command stated that "the enemy has not abandoned its intentions to penetrate into the Dnipropetrovsk region," asserting that Ukrainian forces are maintaining their positions at the front.
However, there has been no immediate comment from the Ukrainian military high command or President Volodymyr Zelensky on what could potentially be viewed as a setback for Ukrainian forces, which are facing challenges due to shortages in manpower and ammunition.
The Russian military reported on Telegram that units from the 90th Armored Division have reached the western border of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic and are continuing their offensive into Dnipropetrovsk.
Earlier that day, local authorities reported a casualty from Russian shelling in the village of Mejova, located approximately 13 kilometers from the Donetsk region.
A Ukrainian lieutenant colonel stated that "fighting is already occurring here and there" and noted that Russian forces are "very close" to the regional border, with advancements described as slow but steady.
In addition, on the same day, Moscow announced the seizure of the village of Zaria in the Donetsk region.
This Russian advance may have strategic implications, coming amid diplomatic discussions sponsored by Washington aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict without yielding substantive results thus far.
Dmitri Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, emphasized through Telegram that "those who refuse to acknowledge the realities of war in negotiations will face new realities on the battlefield" as he confirmed the Russian offensive in Dnipropetrovsk.
Analysts suggest that the Russian progression in this area may serve to disrupt Ukrainian defensive capabilities in the Donbas region, which remains a primary objective of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Before the Russian offensive in February 2022, approximately three million people inhabited the Dnipropetrovsk region, with around one million residing in the regional capital Dnipro, which has frequently faced deadly drone and missile strikes.
Notably, in November 2024, Dnipro was targeted by Russia using an experimental intermediate-range missile, which Moscow claimed hit a military industrial site.
As fighting continues, many displaced Ukrainians from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have sought refuge in Dnipropetrovsk.
Ukrainian military analyst Oleksiï Kopytko noted that a Russian advance in Dnipropetrovsk poses "much more risk than advantage for Russia," due to challenges in concentrating sufficient troop numbers for a breakthrough.
The announcement of the Russian operation coincides with mutual accusations between Moscow and Kyiv regarding disruptions in a planned exchange of prisoners and deceased soldiers.
The Russian military has claimed readiness to return over 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, asserting it has already transferred 1,212 remains and is preparing to deliver more to the Russian-Ukrainian border in the Bryansk region.
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov indicated that this exchange is expected to occur "next week," while accusing Russia of engaging in "unfair informational maneuvers." If this exchange proceeds, it will mark the only tangible result from direct talks earlier in the week.
Negotiations in Istanbul between Kyiv and Moscow regarding a ceasefire, facilitated by Washington, have not resulted in any progress towards agreement.
The Russian delegation has submitted a list of demands to Kyiv, which includes the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions claimed by Moscow, a commitment from Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations, and restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian army—demands described by President Zelensky as "unacceptable ultimatums."
This marks a significant development after more than three years of conflict, occurring during a period where peace negotiations have reached an impasse.
In response, the Ukrainian Southern Defense Command stated that "the enemy has not abandoned its intentions to penetrate into the Dnipropetrovsk region," asserting that Ukrainian forces are maintaining their positions at the front.
However, there has been no immediate comment from the Ukrainian military high command or President Volodymyr Zelensky on what could potentially be viewed as a setback for Ukrainian forces, which are facing challenges due to shortages in manpower and ammunition.
The Russian military reported on Telegram that units from the 90th Armored Division have reached the western border of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic and are continuing their offensive into Dnipropetrovsk.
Earlier that day, local authorities reported a casualty from Russian shelling in the village of Mejova, located approximately 13 kilometers from the Donetsk region.
A Ukrainian lieutenant colonel stated that "fighting is already occurring here and there" and noted that Russian forces are "very close" to the regional border, with advancements described as slow but steady.
In addition, on the same day, Moscow announced the seizure of the village of Zaria in the Donetsk region.
This Russian advance may have strategic implications, coming amid diplomatic discussions sponsored by Washington aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict without yielding substantive results thus far.
Dmitri Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, emphasized through Telegram that "those who refuse to acknowledge the realities of war in negotiations will face new realities on the battlefield" as he confirmed the Russian offensive in Dnipropetrovsk.
Analysts suggest that the Russian progression in this area may serve to disrupt Ukrainian defensive capabilities in the Donbas region, which remains a primary objective of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Before the Russian offensive in February 2022, approximately three million people inhabited the Dnipropetrovsk region, with around one million residing in the regional capital Dnipro, which has frequently faced deadly drone and missile strikes.
Notably, in November 2024, Dnipro was targeted by Russia using an experimental intermediate-range missile, which Moscow claimed hit a military industrial site.
As fighting continues, many displaced Ukrainians from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have sought refuge in Dnipropetrovsk.
Ukrainian military analyst Oleksiï Kopytko noted that a Russian advance in Dnipropetrovsk poses "much more risk than advantage for Russia," due to challenges in concentrating sufficient troop numbers for a breakthrough.
The announcement of the Russian operation coincides with mutual accusations between Moscow and Kyiv regarding disruptions in a planned exchange of prisoners and deceased soldiers.
The Russian military has claimed readiness to return over 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, asserting it has already transferred 1,212 remains and is preparing to deliver more to the Russian-Ukrainian border in the Bryansk region.
Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov indicated that this exchange is expected to occur "next week," while accusing Russia of engaging in "unfair informational maneuvers." If this exchange proceeds, it will mark the only tangible result from direct talks earlier in the week.
Negotiations in Istanbul between Kyiv and Moscow regarding a ceasefire, facilitated by Washington, have not resulted in any progress towards agreement.
The Russian delegation has submitted a list of demands to Kyiv, which includes the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from four regions claimed by Moscow, a commitment from Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations, and restrictions on the size of the Ukrainian army—demands described by President Zelensky as "unacceptable ultimatums."