Russian troops move closer to Dnipropetrovsk region, official warns

Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council member Kateryna Nemchenko said this on Espreso TV.

"In fact, as our brigades say, unfortunately, the enemy is still advancing toward Dnipropetrovsk region — not as fast as before, during the active phase of this offensive, but they continue to approach. They are already in the grey zone. This is not yet officially Dnipropetrovsk region or its borders, but unfortunately, Russian troops are very, very close, and all our brigades are deployed in these directions to contain the advance. But the situation is such that, according to the military themselves — and this is official information — we lack personnel, we lack equipment, especially drones needed to attack Russian forces. That is why, unfortunately, our forces are smaller than Russia’s in this area," she said.

Nemchenko noted that, according to the pessimistic forecasts of Ukrainian troops stationed there, an offensive toward the region’s borders is likely to take place.

"But what happens next will depend on our military — not only on containment, but also on how the offensive unfolds afterward. Of course, I would like to say it won’t happen and that our Armed Forces will hold Dnipropetrovsk region, but according to what the troops there say, most likely the offensive will still take place. The scale, however, is impossible to predict for now. The dynamics, frankly speaking, are bad, and the situation is acute. Our military desperately needs help — any help possible from civilians, international partners, the state — everything that can be provided in that direction. This, I believe, should now be the priority of our country: to help the Armed Forces in that area," the regional council member stressed.

• The occupying Russian forces are less concerned with providing water to the population in the captured part of Donetsk region and more focused on ensuring that enterprises restored and operating for Russia's benefit have water for technical support of their production processes.