The threat of direct hostilities starting in the Dnipropetrovsk region in 2025 is indeed real.
According to military expert, flight instructor, and retired colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Roman Svitan, the advance of Russian occupation forces towards the administrative borders of Dnipropetrovsk is likely to occur not from Pokrovsk, but rather from the area of Velyka Novosilka and Novosilka, specifically along the Vremevskyi direction. He shared this insight in an interview with the Commander-in-Chief.
As the expert noted, the adversary could pose a significant threat to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) from the south in the Vremevskyi bulge, but to advance, they would need to substantially increase their troop numbers, even just to "touch" Dnipropetrovsk region, rather than fully entering and starting an occupation.
"They may have that opportunity. It's not guaranteed that it will arise, but it could happen if the Russians make serious efforts. They would need to deploy a similar number of troops to what they currently have there, which is around 30,000 to 40,000," stated Roman Svitan.
The military expert emphasized that this Russian operation will be aimed more at displacing Ukrainian forces from the southwestern part of the Donetsk region, particularly from Velyka Novosilka, Kurakhove, and Pokrovsk.
Roman Svitan concluded that while Russian occupiers might have the opportunity to enter Dnipropetrovsk region in 2025, they will not be able to advance deep into it, thus posing no significant threat to Dnipropetrovsk, and especially to the city of Dnipro.