Russian Forces Repel Ukrainian Attempts to Gain Foothold on Eastern Bank of River Dnipro
In a recent development, Russia announced that its marines, aviation, and artillery successfully thwarted multiple Ukrainian efforts to establish a presence on the eastern bank of the River Dnipro and the surrounding islands in southern Ukraine.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated when President Vladimir Putin deployed troops into Ukraine in February 2022, resulting in a significant land war in Europe and the most severe confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
While Ukraine claimed that its forces had crossed the River Dnipro and established bridgeheads on the eastern bank, Russia countered by stating that it was relentlessly pounding Ukrainian positions. The Russian defense ministry asserted that its Black Sea Fleet marines were effectively halting any attempts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to conduct amphibious landings on the Dnipro islands and the left bank of the river.
To support their claim, the Russian defense ministry released a video allegedly showing marines from the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade defeating Ukrainian forces. The footage depicted soldiers engaging in combat and utilizing various weapons, although the ultimate outcome of the fighting remains uncertain. Russia also stated that Ukrainian forces, in their unsuccessful endeavors to land on the Dnipro islands, suffered significant casualties and equipment losses. However, Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield accounts from either side.
The extent of the Ukrainian incursion onto the eastern bank of the Dnipro remains unclear. Crossing the river exposes Ukrainian units to the vulnerability of being caught between the river and marshlands on one side and heavily fortified Russian lines on the other.
Currently, Russia controls 17.5% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Despite Ukrainian attempts at a counter-offensive, they have failed to make substantial gains against Russian forces this year.
According to unverified reports by pro-Russian bloggers, Russia has been pressuring Ukrainian forces near the village of Krynky, located near the marshes on the eastern bank of the Dnipro, upstream from Kherson. Russia had withdrawn its forces from Kherson in autumn 2022.
As of now, the situation continues to unfold, with both sides engaged in a fierce struggle for control.
