Ukrainian forces have reported halting a major Russian attempt to cross into the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, describing it as the first attack of such scale in the industrial hub.
“This is the first attack of such a large scale in Dnipropetrovsk region,” said Viktor Trehubov of the Dnipro Operational-Strategic Group of Troops, adding that Ukrainian forces repelled the advance.
Moscow has long claimed gains in the area as part of its push from neighbouring Donetsk, though Kyiv previously denied any significant breaches. The Ukrainian DeepState mapping project said on Tuesday that Russian troops had taken Zaporizke and Novohryhorivka villages, but Ukraine’s general staff insisted it still controlled Zaporizke and that fighting continued around Novohryhorivka.
Although Russia has not formally annexed Dnipropetrovsk as it has Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the region and its capital, Dnipro, have been frequent targets. A missile strike overnight Wednesday hit energy facilities in neighbouring Poltava.
Home to more than three million people before the war, Dnipropetrovsk is Ukraine’s second-largest industrial base after the Donbas. Analysts say a Russian foothold there would mark a serious blow to Ukraine’s war effort and morale.
The escalation comes as diplomatic talks stall despite recent meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Kyiv has rejected Putin’s reported proposal to end the war in exchange for Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, with officials warning Moscow’s true aim is to seize all territory east of the Dnipro River. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautioned that any land-for-peace deal would be “a trap.”
Western leaders continue to signal long-term support. Zelensky on Tuesday met Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, Adm. Sir Tony Radakin, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged stronger security guarantees for Kyiv.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has eased travel rules, allowing men aged 18 to 22 to leave the country. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the exemption aims to maintain ties with Ukrainians abroad, noting the age group is not subject to conscription. An estimated 5.6 million Ukrainian men currently live outside the country.
