Kyiv/Moscow, June 9, 2025 – Russian forces have made a significant push into central Ukraine, penetrating the frontline into the Dnipropetrovsk region, while tensions escalate over the stalled return of the bodies of fallen soldiers and prisoners of war.
According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the advance was carried out by units of the elite 90th Tank Division operating from the Donetsk front. This move marks one of the deepest Russian incursions into Ukraine’s heartland in recent months, signalling a new phase of the war that began in 2022.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Security Council deputy chair, warned that further advances are possible if Ukraine refuses to acknowledge Russian territorial claims during peace negotiations. “This is a direct consequence of Kyiv’s denial of the new ground realities,” Medvedev said, reinforcing Moscow’s position that peace is only possible if Ukraine concedes areas annexed by Russia.
The advance comes amid an ongoing diplomatic standoff between the two nations. Ukraine has accused Russia of delaying a large-scale exchange involving up to 1,000 living prisoners and the remains of an estimated 12,000 soldiers. Kyiv claims it is prepared to begin repatriation by next week and accuses Moscow of political manipulation. Russia, in turn, says Ukraine is using stalling tactics.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed frustration over the delayed humanitarian processes, stating, “The return of our heroes must not be politicised. It is a moral obligation.”
The dispute has drawn concern from international observers, who see it as an obstacle to the fragile peace dialogue initiated during the recent Istanbul summit. Both sides had previously agreed to mutual ceasefire proposals and leadership summits, but trust remains low.
Militarily, the incursion into Dnipropetrovsk is part of a wider Russian strategy to destabilize Ukraine’s defense lines. Just days ago, Ukraine launched “Operation Spiderweb,” a drone strike targeting strategic Russian airfields. Russia retaliated with one of its largest drone and missile attacks since the war began, killing four and injuring dozens in Kyiv and Kharkiv.
While both nations continue to exchange proposals through backchannels, the latest ground offensive and the bitter row over the treatment of the war dead signal that peace may be farther away than ever.
