In the latest analysis, the American Institute for War Studies (ISW) reported that materials published by Russian war bloggers indicate that Ukrainian forces have taken positions on the eastern bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson region. The spokeswoman for the Ukrainian army in the south of the country, Natalia Humeniuk, did not correct or confirm these reports, but appealed for information silence.
The materials published on Saturday, provided with geolocation data, show that Ukrainian troops took up positions on the left bank of the river, north of the city of Oleszki, occupied by the Russian army.
In recent days, Russian war bloggers have written that the Ukrainian army has been holding these positions for weeks, has managed to establish stable supply lines and regularly conducts sorties in the area. It can be concluded from this that the Russians do not control this territory, emphasized ISW analysts.
As the American center added, there are also information that Russian troops do not control part of the islands in the Dnieper Delta southwest of the liberated Kherson.
Some bloggers complained that the Ukrainian forces may have moved to the left bank of the river due to the insufficient strength of Russian artillery fire resulting from the excessive level of centralization of the Russian command system.
ISW: The number and purpose of the Ukrainian units are unknown
ISW experts pointed out that the number and purpose of the Ukrainian units on the left bank of the Dnieper are unknown. It is also not known whether Ukraine is willing and able to hold positions in that territory.
The ISW noted the Ukrainian forces’ position on the left bank of the river only now, because think tank analysts for the first time reached reliable materials with geolocation data.
The army did not confirm or correct the reports. A call for informational silence
Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian army in the south of the country, did not correct or confirm the ISW reports.
– I want everyone to be aware that very difficult operations are underway when such an obstacle as the Dnieper, for example, has to be overcome. When the front line runs across such a wide, large river, a spokeswoman said on television on Sunday.
As she added, “the military operation requires information silence until it is safe enough” for the Ukrainian military. – That is why you need to be patient, this applies even to the Institute of War Studies – urged Humeniuk.
Destroyed houses in the Kherson region Andriy Yermak/telegram
The spokeswoman said that the Russian military on the left bank of the Dnieper is trying to use local residents as “human shields”.
Already in mid-March, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that reconnaissance units were carrying out operations in the left-bank part of the Kherson region, occupied by Russian troops.
Main photo source: OLEG PETRASYUK/PAP/EPA