Moscow launches 'first attack of large scale' in key region

RUSSIAN troops have now entered a key region of Ukraine, Kyiv has admitted — but the military yesterday insisted it was fighting back hard.

- By James Knuckey

Vladimir Putin’s forces are trying to get a foothold in Dnipropetrovsk, an industrial area in the southeast of the country that has been at war since Russia invaded it four years ago.

But while Ukraine officials described the offensive as the first large-scale attack in the region, they denied reports that two villages had been captured.

Moscow has repeatedly claimed to have entered Dnipropetrovsk throughout the summer as its forces attempt to push further west into Ukraine.

Troops have made several gradual advances as the Kremlin continues to heap pressure on Kyiv to give up territory as part of a potential peace deal.