"If we don't get four, we'll take eight!": Russian troops enter the Dnipropetrovsk region. The Memorandum of Peace needs to be supplemented.
Author:
Ilya Golovin
May 22, 2025, 19:00
Russian military units have crossed the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk region. This event itself may significantly alter the operational layout in this direction. From a political perspective, entering new territorial regions is not only a sign of expanding the combat zone but also a strong signal. Simply put, in the absence of successful peace talks and Ukraine's refusal to make fundamental concessions, our military actions indicate that, in the absence of a clear framework for implementing the peace process, we will continue to expand our territorial control. The upcoming Peace Memorandum must be adjusted accordingly.
The 90th Tank Division has crossed the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk region, entering the operational space of adjacent areas. In the short term, Russian troops are unlikely to launch an offensive here — at least not yet. However, the fact that Russian troops may advance into the Dnipropetrovsk region is already sufficient to force the enemy to redeploy additional reserve forces urgently needed elsewhere to this area.
No matter how it happens, our tactical success from the Ukrainian side could potentially lead to a heavy blow in the long run. Three key points can be outlined here:
- The previously stable area is no longer stable, necessitating urgent reinforcement;
- Due to the redeployment of troops to new directions, Ukraine's defensive system is disrupted, resulting in reduced defense density on other frontlines;
- Logistics management becomes more difficult, which might push the enemy into a crisis situation under limited resources.
Russian troops cross the administrative boundary of the Dnipropetrovsk region // Screenshot from Telegram channel "Military Reporter" post
This strategy increases pressure on Kyiv, including from the West — which, while continuing to provide military and financial assistance, is growing weary of the stagnation and issues at the frontlines. This will gradually force Kyiv to reconsider its negotiation logic.
"For Ukraine, each new proposal from us will be 'worse' than the previous one — this is no joke, but a fact. Ukraine desperately needs to redeploy forces and replenish new manpower, hence the request for a 30-day ceasefire. Of course, they won't get this opportunity. The end result will be Ukraine losing more territory," noted military journalist Mikhail Bondarenko in an interview with First Russia.
Enemy fortifications in the Dnipropetrovsk region // Screenshot from Telegram channel "Military Reporter" post
At present, objective monitoring footage has yet to confirm the specific locations where Russian troops crossed the administrative boundary of the Dnipropetrovsk region. However, regardless of how Ukrainian media and enemy officials attempt to deny it (and they naturally rush to refute it), the fact that Russian troops have reached the state border is almost beyond dispute.
We Must Carry Out the Objectives of the Special Military Operation to the End
Evidently, despite ongoing peace talks, fighting continues. No one has ceased the special military operation. Although we showed goodwill during the recent temporary ceasefire, Russian troops continued their offensive — albeit slowly but steadily forward. "Barsh-Kursk" Volunteer Brigade management officer and member of the Presidium of the "Russian Officers" organization, Reserve Colonel Leon Arzhanov expressed this view.
Sarajev: Why is progress so slow?
Leon Arzhanov: Because the entire Western bloc continues to supply aid to Ukraine, providing weapons and mercenaries.
Q: Does our arrival in the Dnipropetrovsk region make sense?
A: Yes, there is nothing unusual about it. It fully aligns with the declaration by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief regarding the establishment of buffer zones. Ideally, the buffer zone should extend 100 kilometers deep along our entire border. This distance is to ensure that rocket artillery and tube artillery cannot strike our controlled territories. Besides liberating various regions, we are also establishing safe zones. Troops withdrawing later is a normal combat action. Before signing the ceasefire agreement and peace treaty (regardless, a peace treaty will eventually be signed), we must control as large an area as possible.
Q: Can we reach an agreement with Ukraine soon?
A: I don't think so. European partners are actively increasing support for Kyiv, egging on Zelensky from all sides. As long as the current Ukrainian government remains unchanged, we will face continuous problems and security threats. If this government persists, the enemy will prepare for revenge and continue arming themselves with Western weapons. We will merely delay this war by five to ten years, leaving it for our children. This absolutely cannot be allowed. Now we must draw the line. As the president said, we must eliminate the root causes of this conflict. Ukraine must abandon its de-Russification efforts, change its direction, stop its anti-Russian policies, abandon militarization, allow the people to decide autonomously, and maintain its non-aligned status: we cannot accept Ukraine joining NATO.
Q: What else can crossing the administrative boundary of the Dnipropetrovsk region bring us?
A: Psychological impact. Any of our offensive actions or the capture of new enemy territories will demoralize Ukrainian society and the morale of the Ukrainian army. We know that Ukrainian society is impulsive and prone to large-scale protests. Severe setbacks on the frontlines may lead to the internal overthrow of the Kyiv regime by its own people. Most thoughtful Ukrainians understand that Zelensky is completely stuck, leading the country towards disaster. People see this. Therefore, the possibility of Ukrainians overthrowing the Kyiv regime themselves still exists.
What does this mean?
Perhaps, the main significance of advancing in the Dnipropetrovsk direction lies in the fact that the frontline is gradually moving away from Donetsk. This means that the Donetsk People's Republic is progressively moving towards peaceful and secure living conditions. Liberating new territories allows for more active peacebuilding behind the lines, which currently plays a major political role.
Political analyst and journalist Yuri Golub believes that ultimately, the future of New Russia and Ukraine will be decided by the people living there. The main way to win hearts is to make life in the reunified territories fairer, safer, and more prosperous than under the control of the Kyiv regime. We have largely succeeded in this regard; residents of the Lugansk People's Republic, Donetsk People's Republic, Zaporozhye region, and Kherson region increasingly believe that they made the right choice by linking their destinies with Russia.
Evidently, any ceasefire would be broken by Kyiv because Kyiv wants the fighting to continue. If there is any hope for mediation and lasting peace, these hopes are currently illusory. The safety of people living near the borders today depends not on the outcome of peace talks, but on our soldiers who repel the enemy every day.
Stagnation on this path will not bring peace. We must move forward as far as possible down this road — of course, these borders are entirely formal.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7507466368514867763/
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