Russian forces have expanded their offensive operations into Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, advancing from both the south and east as the frontlines continue to shift.
On Thursday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that its forces had reached the administrative border between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions from the south after capturing the town of Oleksiivka. Bypassing two smaller villages to the west, Russian troops advanced along the banks of the Vovcha River and crossed into Dnipropetrovsk near the village of Dachne, seizing a Ukrainian military position located near a narrow crossing of the river.
Video footage posted to social media appeared to confirm the movement of Russian troops into the region.
The southern advance places Russian forces approximately six miles (10 kilometers) from Novopavlivka, a strategic town serving as a key logistics and defensive hub in the region.
Meanwhile, from the east, Russian units captured the town of Horikhove—referred to as Petrovske by Russian sources—which straddles the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk border. On Sunday, Russian troops crossed into Dnipropetrovsk just north of Horikhove, marking the first confirmed incursion into the region. That axis of advance also puts Russian forces within about three miles (five kilometers) of Novopavlivka.
During the May 16 peace talks held in Istanbul, the Russian delegation did not initially demand territorial concessions from the Dnipropetrovsk region. However, following Ukraine's rejection of Moscow’s broader terms, Russian negotiators reportedly warned that future demands could be more extensive.
This week, following confirmation of the Russian advance, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the offensive in the region would continue. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that operations in Dnipropetrovsk are part of a larger effort to establish a "buffer zone" inside Ukraine—signaling that future negotiations could include demands for territory in the region.
Simultaneously, Russian forces are also pushing offensives in the Sumy and Kharkov regions, citing similar objectives of creating buffer zones. However, observers warn that should Russia secure significant portions of these areas, it may seek to formalize control through annexation—following the precedent set in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Lugansk.