Russia admits Ukrainian troops entered the east bank of the Dnieper River

Russia admits "small groups" of Ukrainian troops have crossed the Dnieper River to the eastern bank, an area Moscow controls in Kherson province.

After the fighting broke out in February 2022, Russia quickly took control of the entire Kherson region. Thanks to a lightning counteroffensive late last year, Ukraine regained control of the Kherson region 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 region.

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 post on the east bank "despite all difficulties".

Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed leader of Kherson, admitted on November 15 that Ukrainian forces were operating on the east bank of the Dnieper River but said that 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 km 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 prepared 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 — 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 km 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,” Ms. Humeniuk said, adding that she would limit information sharing and would announce bigger successes later.

Ukrainian soldiers in Kherson on November 9. Photo: Reuters — Ukrainian soldiers in Kherson on November 9. Photo: *Reuters*

Ukraine launched a counter-offensive 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. However, the Ukrainian advance in Kherson could put pressure on Russian defenses.

Ngoc Anh (According to Reuters )

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