Russian officer surrenders 'to help Ukrainian special forces cross river'

Ukrainian special forces claimed to have been given information by a surrendering Russian officer and his subordinates that helped them cross the Dnieper River to the east bank.

Ukraine's 73rd Naval Special Operations Center was tasked with crossing the Dnieper River to seize the eastern bank foothold controlled by Russian forces.

Ukrainian special forces from Center 73 had been stationed along the west bank of the river since May and were preparing to cross, but were forced to retreat when the Kakhovla Dam collapsed on June 6 and the water in the reservoir submerged many areas downstream.

According to a Ukrainian soldier nicknamed Skif, a member of a unit of the 73rd Center, Russia redeployed its forces to the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in July after the water receded. When Skif’s unit tried to seize an island near the village of Krynki, Russian artillery immediately opened fire on the Ukrainian group’s positions.

Ukrainian soldiers cross the Dnieper River on December 17. Photo: OPU — Ukrainian soldiers cross the Dnieper River on December 17. Photo: *OPU*

Shortly thereafter, a Russian officer approached Ukrainian intelligence and surrendered with 11 of his men, protesting Moscow’s operation. The officer provided information about the Russian troop deployment on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River to Ukrainian special forces, helping them break through Russian lines and take control of the village of Krynki.

Control of the village of Krynki is considered by Ukraine and the West as a "rare bright spot" in the context of a large-scale counter-offensive campaign that has reached a stalemate. However, Russian forces have continuously attacked the village of Krynki, causing many casualties for Ukraine and continuously sending reinforcements to this place.

Nighttime temperatures in the Krynki area have recently dropped below 0°C, and Ukrainian soldiers are much less equipped than Russian forces in the vicinity. This makes advancing or defending Krynki during the winter much more difficult for Ukrainian soldiers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference earlier this month that Russian units had “retreated a few meters” from the area of the village of Krynki. However, Mr Putin said Ukrainian forces in Krynki were fighting “pointlessly and losing more than they are gaining”. “I don’t even know why they are doing this,” Mr Putin said.