Ukrainian troops probably made a successful landing on the left bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson Oblast – writes the Institute for War Studies (ISW). An American think tank notes in its latest analysis that Russian sources fear “larger Ukrainian operations” in this southern region because the aggressor’s forces there are weakened.
According to Russian sources, Ukrainian troops approximately the size of a company made a successful landing on Wednesday and Thursday on the left bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson Oblast, occupied by Russian troops.
As written by the American Institute for War Studies, verified recordings confirm that the Ukrainians moved north from Pishchanivka to the town of Poema, east of Kherson, and several kilometers from the bank of the Dnieper. According to Russian reports, the so-called military bloggers, Ukrainian troops were to carry out a successful landing and break the Russian defense, gaining temporary control over Pojma and part of Pishchanivka.
ISW stated that it did not see any Ukrainian activity on the left bank that would be sufficient to allow mechanized troops to maneuver. He noted, however, that Russian sources speak of greater Ukrainian activity than before (one-off offensive raids).
Ukrainian armyOLEG PETRASYUK/PAP/EPA
“Russian sources clearly show concerns”
“Russian sources clearly show concerns about Ukrainian activities on the eastern bank in the Kherson Oblast and see them as part of a potential larger operation,” ISW wrote. According to analysts, these concerns may result from the relative weakness of the Russian group in this sector of the front after the redirection of better-prepared forces to the Zaporizhia Oblast.
The Ukrainska Pravda portal noted, in turn, that the General Staff of the Armed Forces Ukraine indirectly confirmed operations on the left bank of the Dnieper. On Thursday morning, it was reported that Russian aircraft shelled Pishchanivka, among other towns, which suggests that Ukrainian troops were there.
Main photo source: OLEG PETRASYUK/PAP/EPA