In the absence of intervention from other countries, Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine continues to press on, as Russia recently asserted control over many cities, including Mariupol and Kherson. Most recently, Ukrainian sources reported that Russian forces have taken the village of Dachnoye, in the Dnipropetrovsk region. It is the first time they have taken a heavily populated area there since launching their military offensive three years ago. This escalation occurs in tandem with apparent Russian interest in resuming peace talks, or so says Moscow itself.
The mood in Dnipropetrovsk has changed, as Russian attacks continue to hammer the region and drop from the sky. Last week, a strike in Dnipropetrovsk unfortunately led to the deaths of at least 17 non-combatants. Besides this terrible loss of civilians, the attack severely damaged a wide array of critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and even a passenger train station.
Russian state RIA Novosti news agency later trumpeted statements from Vladimir Rogov, one of Moscow’s most important officials on the ground, declaring Dachnoye taken. He stated, “Our troops have advanced further in this direction and have already driven the enemy out of the village of Dachnoye. This is the first populated area in the Dnipropetrovsk region from which the enemy has been expelled.”
Since the start of that offensive, Russia has made gains into pieces of the Kharkiv and Sumy regions. Russian forces now hold roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. This saddles Ukraine with major territories such as Crimea and large swathes of the Luhansk region, where more than 99 percent of the area is under Russian control. In addition, they control about 70% of the oblasts of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Even after these military successes, Russian officials have publicly signaled an ongoing willingness to engage in peace talks. These types of statements appear to be in stark contradiction with their military operations on the ground. Under a cover of fabricated noble intentions, Russia is really just stealing more and more land. What is less clear is how these dueling narratives will affect the overall peace process.
In another economic-related move over the weekend, Russian forces captured the largest lithium deposit in Donetsk. Of all the possible resources including military training and hardware, Kyiv considered this resource the most important opportunity. It sought to bolster its economic relationship with the United States. The asset seizure continues to be a pressing issue amidst fears for Ukraine’s economic stability and its post-war recovery from continued hostilities.
Even as this illegal war unfolds, intensifying humanitarian impact on civilians trapped in the deadly crossfire. The continuous aerial attacks and front line changes have resulted in millions of Ukrainians living in despair and fear. It is still an unfolding and volatile situation. Regional security and international relations are at stake, driven by military engagement and state-to-state discussions.