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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Battle for the bridgehead. Aggravation in Kherson region |
| 2023-11-17 |
| Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. [Korrespondent] The intensity of fighting on the left bank of the Kherson region is increasing Ukrainian forces managed to transfer three brigades to the left bank of the Dnieper, the Guardian reports, citing unnamed officials. The situation on the left bank of the Kherson region is getting worse. The presence of several tactical bridgeheads of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Russian-occupied left bank of the Kherson region is already a fait accompli. Despite the fact that the leadership of the Ukrainian army has never confirmed or denied it. But President Vladimir Zelensky on November 8 spoke about “good steps in the Kherson region,” and on November 14, the head of his office, Andriy Ermak, directly stated that “Ukrainian forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper.” “A significant force, described as three brigades, took up a position on the other side of the Dnieper, which the Russians were unable to dislodge, although it is unclear how many armored vehicles the Ukrainian military was able to transport across the river,” The Guardian quoted Western officials as saying. Despite the UAF's success, officials expect Ukraine will likely only be able to make gradual progress “one village at a time,” at a pace similar to the summer counteroffensive in the Orekhiv and Velyka Novoselka areas. The geographic scale of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ efforts on the left bank of the Kherson region is much greater than currently reflected by any available open source, ISW analysts stated. On November 15, these operations continued: Russian “military correspondents” stated that Ukrainian forces carried out allegedly unsuccessful attacks from the center of the village of Krynki (30 km northeast of Kherson, 2 km from the Dnieper). According to Russian sources, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are also attempting attacks near Poima and Peschanivka. OK South representative Natalya Gumenyuk said that Ukrainian troops in the Kherson region are pushing back Russian forces 3-8 km from the eastern bank of the Dnieper. At the same time, the occupiers are trying to stop this advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, ISW experts write. The Wall Street Journal, citing Ukrainian fighters, reported that the occupiers are using heavy mines, snipers and heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and airstrikes to stop Ukrainian forces on the left bank of the Dnieper. Russian “military correspondents” also stated that the occupiers, during their own counterattacks, allegedly forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw from some areas south of the village of Krynki, in particular near the Cossack Camps, as well as at the Antonovsky Bridge. However, ISW cannot substantiate these claims by the occupiers. NO LOCKS IN THE AIR Marine of the 36th brigade Valery Prozapas, commenting on the information regarding the fighting on the left bank of the Kherson region, said that routine combat work was underway and there was no need to “draw castles in the air.” “When this all goes live, it doesn’t reflect very well on the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces units. The situation there is not easy. I urge everyone not to draw castles in the air for themselves,” he said on Radio Liberty. According to him, quick breakthroughs on the left bank should not be expected; the battle will drag on not for one week, but most likely for more than one month. Because the battle formations of the occupying army are very well prepared for defense. Prozapas stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are working on the left bank of the Dnieper, but it is impossible to talk about any strategic, breakthrough actions. |
| Posted by:badanov |