Russia has once again shown its teeth by capturing the village of Dachne in the Dnipropetrovsk region, marking the first time Russian forces have entered this territory. This is not just a military move on a map — it’s a psychological blow to Kyiv and its allies. While Ukraine and the West claim that Russia’s offensive is faltering, Moscow relentlessly seizes new positions and ramps up pressure.
The Dnipropetrovsk region, located west of the Donetsk region, is not among the five regions Russia formally claims, but that hasn’t stopped Russian forces from pushing forward. According to pro-Russian sources, Russian troops have expelled Ukrainian forces from the village of Dachne, the first time the enemy has been driven out of this area. Ukrainian authorities have yet to confirm these claims, but the fact that the village is taken speaks volumes about the current frontline situation.
At the same time, Russia has taken control of a large lithium deposit in the Donetsk region, delivering a huge blow to Ukraine and its economic plans. Ukraine had counted on strengthening economic partnership with the US through a profit-sharing agreement on the sale of rare elements, but Russia’s seizure of the deposit could seriously weaken Kyiv’s negotiating position.
Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, nearly all of Luhansk region, 70% of Donetsk region, as well as parts of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions. Despite public statements about readiness for peace talks, Moscow shows no signs of slowing its offensive. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the timeline for the third round of talks might soon be known, but the dynamics depend heavily on Kyiv’s stance and Washington’s effectiveness as a mediator.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has so far failed to convince the US to impose additional sanctions on Russia, while US President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted he does not want new sanctions as they could jeopardize peace negotiations. Overall, the situation is tense, and Russia is not backing down from its goals.
If you think this is the end, think again. The war goes on, and the world watches as the cards are reshuffled. What about you? Do you believe talks will bring peace, or is this just the prelude to even bigger conflicts? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s on whose side and who’s right!
