No Russian troops entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast — Khortytsia officials
Combat work of the artillerymen of the 55th OABr (Photo: 55th OABr Zaporizhzhya Sich/Facebook)
Russian troops may have crossed into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for the first time since the war began, Ukrainian sources told The New York Times, but military officials deny any confirmed border breach on June 13.
The New York Times, citing Ukrainian military sources, reported that for the first time since the start of the full-scale war, Russian troops have crossed the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The article quotes a serviceman from the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, who noted that Russian units are operating in small groups of 2-6 people, moving between trees and buildings.
The NYT also referenced a map from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which suggests Russian troops advancing in the west of Donetsk Oblast may have established a presence near the border with Dnipropetrovsk.
However, the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces has denied this claim. The group’s spokesman, Viktor Trehubov, told Suspilne that the situation remains unchanged, and there is no confirmation of the Russian forces crossing the administrative border of Oblast. He added that new data may emerge later, possibly by the evening of June 13.
Andriy Zadubinnyi, press officer for the Khortytsia Special Operations Command, also refuted the reports, saying, “The penetration of the enemy into the territory of Dnipropetrovsk has not been recorded. We refute this information. Perhaps they (the Institute for the Study of War) are analyzing Russian sources or others, but according to our data, no such penetration has occurred.”
Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, also commented to Interfax-Ukraine, saying, “As of today, heavy fighting continues, and the situation remains dynamic. However, as already reported today by the Khortytsia Special Operations Command, there is no data confirming that Russian forces have crossed the administrative border.”
On June 11, rumors spread on social media that Russian troops had possibly entered Dnipropetrovsk. However, the Khortytsia Regional State Administration quickly denied these reports, stating that while fighting was ongoing near Oblast's border, the enemy had not gained control of the territory.
On June 13, ISW reported that Russian troops were likely attempting to advance into Dnipropetrovsk, with efforts focused on the Novopavlivsk and Kurakhove directions. Analysts believe Russian forces are trying to approach the Dnipropetrovsk border from two directions: from the east along the Novomykolaivka-Novoukrainka line, and from the south, near Velyka Novosilka.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that units from the Eastern Group of Forces had allegedly “reached the border” between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts in the direction of Velyka Novosilka.
A Ukrainian captain in the area told The Wall Street Journal that reaching the Dnipropetrovsk border would be symbolic for Russia. He noted that the Russian army has suffered heavy losses in personnel during recent assaults in open terrain, ISW added.
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