RUSSIA was scrambling to stop a surprise Ukraine advance on the east side of the Dnipro river after Moscow admitted losing ground.

Western officials said troops have moved 2.5miles from the river into territory formerly held by the enemy.

Local Russian governor Vladimir Saldo said: “There is justifiable concern about Ukrainian armed forces on the left bank of the Dnipro.”

Western sources said Ukraine had put hundreds of troops and armoured vehicles across the river— the site of the Khakovka dam, destroyed by Russia.

One said: “This gives Ukraine a significant foothold.

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“The fact the Russians are unable to push them back from there is encouraging and positive.

“Where Ukraine see opportunity, they will exploit it.”

Saldo admitted it was “more manpower than we can destroy”.

The build-up of Ukrainian forces has forced Russia to pull troops from elsewhere to stop the advance.

Earlier Andriy Yermak, President Zelensky’s chief of staff, said troops had dug in in “against all odds”.