Ukraine denies the presence of Russian troops in the Dnipropetrovsk region, against the background of the announced offensive. “The situation is tense”

The Russian forces continue their efforts to enter the Dnipropetrovsk region, Sunday reported South Defense Forces of Ukraine, also stating that the situation around the positions of the separate Mecanized Brigade remains “tense”, The Kyiv Independent reports.

“The enemy did not abandon his plans to enter the Dnipropetrovsk region,” the southern defense forces wrote. “Our soldiers hold with courage and professionalism their front section, hindering the occupant's plans.”

The clarifications of the Ukrainian army come after the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that its forces have entered the Ukrainian region Dnipropetrovsk, adjacent to the Donetk region.

Despite these statements, Major Andrii Kovalev, a spokesman for the General Staff of Ukraine, denied the presence of Russian troops in the region.

“The information is not true. The battles are in progress in the Donetk region. The enemy has not entered the Dnipropetrovsk region,” Kovalev told Ukrainska Pravda.

In a separate statement for CNN, Viktor Trehubov, a spokesman for the operational-strategic group Hortitia (whose area of ​​responsibility includes a large part of the Eastern Front of Ukraine, no), said that “Russians are constantly spreading false information that they entered the Dnipropetrovsk region in the Directorates of Pokrovsk and Novopvsk, but in None) This information is not true. “

The Ukrainian brigade 31 is carried out in the direction of Novopavlivka, where the regions of Donets, Zaporojie and Dnipropetrovsk converge. Since 2014, the Russian aggression has strongly affected the Donetk region, while the Dnipropetrovsk region has remained away from direct incursions, says Kyiv Independent.

Kiev's army, in difficulty on the front

An entrance of the Russian army into the Dnipropetrovsk region would mark a new symbolic failure for Ukrainian forces, in difficulty on the front due to the lack of people and weapons.

Beyond the symbolic aspect, the advancement of Moscow troops can also have a strategic value, in the process of diplomatic discussions promoted by Washington to resolve the conflict.

Prior to the Russian offensive of February 2022, about three million people lived in the Dnipropetrovsk region, of which about one million in the regional capital, DNIPRO, which is regularly the target of deadly attacks with drones and rockets.

Many Ukrainians, fleeing the battles in the eastern regions Donetsk and Lugansk, found refuge here after the initial assault of the Russian troops.

The Institute for the Study of the War said in the last evaluation on the struggles that the Russians continue the offensive efforts to capture the entire Donetk region and, “possible to advance in the Dnipropetrovsk region.”

Map of battles in eastern Ukraine, circles show areas with intense struggles. ISW source

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