On Monday, Russia’s military asserted that it had seized its first village in Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region after months of gradual movement towards the border. This development could represent a psychological setback for Kyiv amid rising military and diplomatic tensions.

This announcement followed Moscow’s launch of a large-scale offensive involving drones and missiles, which included strikes on Ukrainian military recruitment centers. These attacks are part of an escalating strategy as ceasefire discussions remain at an impasse.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, its forces have gained control of the village of Dachne, an important industrial and mining area that has experienced intensified Russian airstrikes in recent weeks.

In recent months, Russian forces have prioritized advancing into this region, and further progress could pose logistical and economic difficulties for Ukraine.

In response, Kyiv has rejected claims that Russian forces established a presence in Dnipropetrovsk. On Monday, Ukraine’s military reported that its troops successfully “repelled” Russian assaults in the area, including near Dachne.

Earlier in May, Russia had first claimed that its military had penetrated into Dnipropetrovsk, more than three years after the commencement of its large-scale invasion.

Dnipropetrovsk does not belong to the five Ukrainian regions that Moscow asserts as its own.