Russia admits “small groups” of Ukrainian troops have crossed the Dnieper River to the eastern bank, which Moscow controls in Kherson province.
After the fighting broke out in February 2022, Russia quickly took control of the entire Kherson Oblast. Thanks to a lightning counteroffensive late last year, Ukraine regained control of the Kherson Oblast on the west bank of the Dnieper River. Meanwhile, the total area of the eastern bank that Russia controls is equivalent to 75% of the entire Oblast.
Ukraine has recently deployed small units using boats to cross the Dnieper River to attack Russian positions. On November 14, they announced that they had set up a checkpoint on the eastern bank "despite all difficulties".
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed leader of Kherson, acknowledged on November 15 that Ukrainian forces were operating on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River but said Kiev was "suffering heavy losses".
Mr Saldo said Ukrainian forces were operating in “small groups” in the area from the Antonovsky railway bridge to the village of Krynky, about 20 kilometres away. According to Mr Saldo, about 1.5 Ukrainian companies had crossed the Dnieper River.
A company by Russian definition has from 45 to 360 soldiers, according to TASS .
"We have mobilized additional forces. The enemy is trapped in the village of Krynky. Hell is waiting for them, including bombs, rockets, heavy fire systems, artillery shells and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)," Mr. Saldo said.
Location of the Dnieper River. Graphics: RYV
The leader of the pro-Russian Kherson administration also cited information he received directly from the Russian military, saying that Ukrainian forces were being besieged in bunkers, adding that their attacks would be stopped.
The village of Krynky is located near the river, about 30 kilometers northeast of the city of Kherson, which Ukraine regained control of a year ago.
Natalia Humeniuk, spokeswoman for Ukraine's Southern Operations Command, said the situation was relatively favorable and their forces were putting pressure on Russian troops along the banks of the Dnieper River.
“We pushed them back in an area of about 3-8 kilometers along the entire riverbank,” Humeniuk said, adding that she would limit information sharing and would announce bigger successes later.
Ukrainian soldiers in Kherson on November 9. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in the east and south in June but has faced fierce resistance from Russian forces. The campaign has so far failed to make the significant progress that Ukrainian leaders had hoped. But the Ukrainian advance in Kherson could put pressure on Russian defenses.
Ngoc Anh (According to Reuters )
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