Russia advances to east-central Ukrainian region amid row over dead soldiers

Russia claims its forces have advanced to the edge of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region amid intensified fighting and growing tensions over stalled peace talks and the return of war dead. Moscow has seized over 190 square km of northeastern Ukraine in recent weeks and continues pushing west from Donetsk. Ukraine says its forces are holding the line and accused Russia of playing politics with prisoner and body exchanges. Meanwhile, Russia demands recognition of its territorial claims, while Ukraine refuses to concede, Reuters has reported. U.S. officials warn of possible large‑scale Russian retaliation for recent Ukrainian attacks inside Russia.