Ukraine crosses vital river, gathers strength to face Russia's "hell"

Ukrainian sappers dig rockets from a multiple launch system in a field in Kherson (Photo: Reuters).

Russia on November 15 admitted for the first time that Ukrainian troops had crossed the vast Dnieper River in the south into Russian-controlled areas in Kherson province and were operating in small groups.

Earlier, Ukraine said on November 14 that its army had gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River "against all odds." This was seen as a major "setback" for Russia in southern Ukraine, where Kiev is trying to open a new offensive front.

A Ukrainian military spokesman added on November 14 that the Ukrainian military is trying to push Russian forces back from the eastern bank of the Dnieper River.

The Dnieper River is considered the border between the Ukrainian and Russian front lines after Moscow withdrew its troops from the west bank and built a solid defense line on the east bank since late last year.

Since then, Ukraine has repeatedly crossed the river and raided Russian bases on the eastern bank of the Dnieper. The successful landing on the eastern bank marks a major step forward for Ukraine on the more than 1,000km long front line with Russia.

Location of the Dnieper River (Photo: BBC).

The expanding fighting zone on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River has "significantly reduced Russia's mobility and combat capabilities," military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko told Ukrainian media outlet RBK.

Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of the Moscow-controlled Kherson region, admitted Ukrainian forces had crossed the river but suffered heavy losses.

Mr Saldo said Ukrainian forces were operating in small groups spread across an area from the railway bridge to the village of Krynky, about 20km away.

"Our additional forces have now arrived. The enemy is trapped in the village of Krynky and a hellfire has been laid: bombs, rockets, heavy fire systems, artillery shells and drones," the Kherson official warned.

Citing information from Russia's "Dnepr" military group, Mr. Saldo said Ukrainian forces were trapped in bunkers and predicted that the Ukrainian offensive would be stopped.

The village of Krynky is located near the Dnieper River, about 30km northeast of the city of Kherson, which Ukraine recaptured almost exactly a year ago.

Meanwhile, Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for Ukraine's southern operational command, described the front line as "quite fluid" and said Kiev forces had put pressure on the Russian military.

“The pushback operations from our side are taking place on a line of 3-8km along the entire river bank. For now, we will ask for silence on the information… this will allow us to make statements about major successes later,” Ms Humeniuk added.

Russia has largely held off Kiev's counteroffensive in the southeastern gulf, but a Ukrainian advance into the Russian-controlled Kherson region could spread its defenses further and add to the pressure, Reuters reported.

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, said on November 14 that "despite all the difficulties, the Ukrainian defense forces have gained a foothold on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnieper River." Yermak said Ukraine's counteroffensive, launched in June, was "progressing" and Kiev knew "how to win."

The Russian military said last week that its forces had thwarted Ukraine's efforts to build a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River and surrounding areas, causing heavy damage to Kiev.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-vuot-song-huyet-mach-don-luc-doi-mat-hoa-nguc-cua-nga-20231116161339424.htm