Russian forces push into Dnipropetrovsk region as peace talks falter
By kevinhughes // 2025-08-31
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  • Russian forces have entered the Dnipropetrovsk region, marking a new phase in their offensive. This incursion into a key industrial hub near the Donetsk region highlights Russia's relentless pressure along the 620-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine, despite Ukrainian resistance.
  • Russia has made an eight-mile breakthrough near Pokrovsk in Donetsk, threatening Ukrainian supply routes. Additionally, Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting power grids and gas facilities in six regions, raising concerns about a harsh winter. In retaliation, Ukraine has conducted drone strikes on Russian oil facilities, causing gas shortages in parts of Russia.
  • Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled, with direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky elusive. The Kremlin has dismissed European proposals for postwar security guarantees involving NATO troops in Ukraine, while U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff suggests Donetsk is central to Russia's demands, though Kyiv may reject such terms.
  • Russian forces currently occupy Crimea and significant portions of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbas, with recent advances further encroaching into Luhansk. Areas in southern and eastern Ukraine, including parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, are also under Russian control, though resistance continues in some regions.
  • As winter approaches, the war's trajectory depends on Ukraine's ability to sustain its defenses and the potential for diplomacy to break the deadlock. The situation remains fluid, with Ukrainian troops struggling to hold defensive lines amid relentless Russian assaults, leaving Ukraine's fate uncertain.
Russian troops have advanced into Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time, marking a new phase in Moscow's grinding offensive as diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled. Ukrainian military officials confirmed Wednesday, Aug. 27, that Russian forces had entered the villages of Novoheorhiivka and Zaporizke, though Kyiv insists its troops continue to resist. The incursion into Dnipropetrovsk – a key industrial hub bordering the embattled Donetsk region – underscores Russia's relentless pressure along a 620-mile front line stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine. (Related: Ukrainian frontlines are COLLAPSING, Russian forces ADVANCING on all fronts.) Ukrainian military spokesman Victor Trehubov acknowledged the Russian presence but denied Moscow had secured stable control. "They did not manage to gain a foothold because they were pushed back, although the fighting is now going on in the immediate vicinity," Trehubov told NBC News. Russia's Defense Ministry, however, claimed full control over the settlements – which Ukrainian forces and independent analysts contested. The battlefield situation remains fluid, with Ukrainian troops struggling to hold defensive lines amid relentless Russian assaults. The push into Dnipropetrovsk follows Russia's recent eight-mile breakthrough near Pokrovsk in Donetsk, threatening Ukrainian supply routes to Kramatorsk. Meanwhile, Moscow has intensified attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, striking power grids and gas facilities in six regions, raising fears of a brutal winter ahead. "We regard the Russian attacks as a continuation of the Russian Federation's deliberate policy of destroying Ukraine's civilian infrastructure ahead of the heating season," Ukraine's Energy Ministry stated. Kyiv has retaliated with drone strikes targeting Russian oil refineries and fuel depots, causing gas shortages in parts of Russia. In response, Moscow halted gasoline exports in late July, a move expected to extend into September.

No end in sight as winter warfare looms

Despite U.S. diplomatic efforts, direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky remain elusive. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed European proposals for postwar security guarantees involving NATO troops in Ukraine, calling them unacceptable. "We view these discussions negatively," Peskov said Wednesday, reiterating Moscow's opposition to foreign military presence in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff hinted at possible progress, suggesting Donetsk remains central to Russia's demands. However, he admitted Kyiv may reject such terms. "I think that we may end up seeing a bilateral meeting," Witkoff told Fox News, expressing cautious optimism. Yet Zelensky signaled frustration, posting on X that Russia is sending "negative signals regarding meetings and further developments." According to Brighteon.AI's engine Enoch, Russian forces currently occupy Crimea – annexed in 2014 – and significant portions of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbas. Recent advances have further encroached into Luhansk, leaving Severodonetsk and Lysychansk as the last major Ukrainian-held cities there. Areas in southern and eastern Ukraine, including parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, are also under Russian military control – though resistance persists in some regions. As winter looms, the war's trajectory hinges on whether Kyiv can sustain its defenses—and whether diplomacy can break the deadlock. For now, Dnipropetrovsk's villages symbolize another small but strategic advance in Russia's protracted campaign. Watch this Fox News report about the "game-changer" for Russia-Ukraine peace talks. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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U.S. and Russia seek peace in Ukraine, leaving Zelensky in panic over potential aid cuts. Russian forces seize Velyka Novosilka, exposing Ukraine’s manpower crisis. Russia gaining the UPPER HAND in Ukraine conflict, Pentagon admits. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com NBCnews.com CBC.ca Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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