Tanks are rolling into a new part of Ukraine. Russia claims its forces have reached the border of Dnipropetrovsk, a region in central Ukraine. This is the first time they’ve gotten this far.
Russia’s defense ministry says a unit from its 90th tank division arrived at the border. They’re getting ready to push into the region.
This is a big deal. Russia has been trying to break into Dnipropetrovsk for months. If they succeed, it’ll be a huge blow to Ukraine. The Ukrainian military is already stretched thin.
Ukraine’s military spokesperson, Viktor Terkhov, says Russia is spreading fake news about its advances. He claims Russia says it’s entering Dnipropetrovsk from the cities of Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka, but that’s not true.
If Russia does make it into Dnipropetrovsk, it’ll put even more pressure on the Ukrainian military. They’re already fighting to hold onto the city of Pokrovsk, which has been under attack for months.
The Institute for the Study of War says Russian forces are still attacking Pokrovsk, but not making much progress. Ukraine’s military says it stopped 65 Russian attacks on the city on Sunday alone.
Right now, Russia controls almost a fifth of Ukraine’s territory. That includes the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, and parts of eastern Ukraine that are held by Russian-backed separatists.
What’s at stake
Russia’s push into Dnipropetrovsk is a significant escalation of the conflict. It could lead to more fighting and more casualties. The international community is watching closely to see what happens next.
Key players
- Russia’s defense ministry
- Ukraine’s military spokesperson, Viktor Terkhov
- The Institute for the Study of War
What’s next
The situation in Dnipropetrovsk is fluid and unpredictable. One thing is certain: the conflict in Ukraine is far from over. The world is waiting to see what Russia’s next move will be.
Source: cnn