In a recent development, the Ukrainian defence forces have successfully pushed the Russians back by a distance of 3-8 km from Dnipro on the left bank of Kherson Oblast. This strategic move has ensured that mortar fire no longer poses a threat to the right bank. Nataliia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden (South), confirmed this progress during a national joint 24/7 newscast, as quoted by Ukrinform.
Humeniuk explained that the specific distance of the pushback varies due to the geographical and landscape features of the left bank. Nevertheless, the fact that the Russians’ mortars cannot reach the right bank is considered a significant achievement. She further emphasized that Ukrainian defenders are continuously gaining ground on the left bank.
Despite the positive development, Humeniuk acknowledged that there is still a lot of work ahead for the Ukrainian military. Reports indicate that 4-10 artillery systems are destroyed on a daily basis, but the Russians persist in shelling the right bank of Kherson Oblast. This suggests that the Russians have the capability to reinforce their reserves and do not yet face a critical shortage of these systems. Additionally, Humeniuk noted that the Russians are not so incapacitated that they cannot deploy additional forces, as fresh units are being sent to replace those that have been destroyed.
Regarding the number of Russian invaders on the left bank, Humeniuk refrained from providing a specific figure to avoid giving valuable information to the enemy. However, she indicated that the total group size is estimated to be several tens of thousands, underscoring the substantial force the Ukrainian military is up against.
Humeniuk also addressed the absence of Russian strike groups based on Ukrainian records, suggesting that the Russians lack the capacity to prepare for active operations. This could be seen as a potential advantage for the Ukrainian defence forces.
In terms of background, it has been confirmed by Ukrainian marines that the Defence Forces have made progress at various bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast. Additionally, on 8 November, analysts reported the transfer of armoured vehicles by the Ukrainian military to the left bank of Kherson Oblast, and on 13 November, it was reported that Ukrainian troops had achieved some advancements on the left bank of Dnipro in Kherson Oblast.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Ukrainian defence forces remain committed to their mission. The progress made so far is undoubtedly significant, but challenges persist, and the Ukrainian military is prepared for the task at hand.
