How Ukraine gained a foothold across the river in Kherson Oblast: told by surviving Russian soldiers
Several Russian soldiers explained how the Ukrainian Armed Forces gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast by opening up about the Battle of Krynky to BBC journalists.
“Yes, they (Ukrainians) are on our side (of the river). They have entrenched themselves in the Krynky area. There are definitely about 500 Ukrainians there,” said soldiers from one of the occupiers’ battalions,” one of the Russian soldiers told the BBC.
They claim that before capturing Krynky, several Ukrainian reconnaissance groups traveled along the occupied Dnipro riverbank in Gazelles and Zhigulis, dressed in Russian military, firefighter, or Emergency Service worker uniforms.
“They approached our positions almost closely. While our people were watching, they took them all down,” a Russian soldiers told the BBC.
Read also: Over 1,000 Russian troops eliminated in Ukraine over past 24 hours, says General Staff
The occupiers claim that after this, Ukrainian infantry crossed the Dnipro and entered Krynky through the forest.
“On Oct. 19, 20, and 21, we were hit hard here. But then they sent us Marines, and we survived only thanks to that. I didn’t see any tanks here; they were pushing them from the other side, and around Antonivka, they were firing. But they did capture several of our vehicles,” said one of the soldiers of the occupation army.
According to the occupiers, Ukrainian forces also used and continue to use boats that can travel at a speed of 100 km/h. In the fall, in thick fog, they are difficult to track. Additionally, during the battles on the left bank of the Dnipro, the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly used a helicopter that flew very low and fired on Russian positions with unguided missiles, then flew back.
“Several people have already been captured. Our commander disappeared with all his deputies. We are in quite a jam here.”
“Two of our battalions were wiped out overnight. Ukrainians have entrenched themselves on our side in the Krynky area, and so far, we can’t knock them out.”
“We are on duty 24/7 without replacements. Plus, everyone is afraid,” the Russian soldiers told journalists.
The occupiers lost several hundred military personnel on the left bank of the Dnipro, BBC sources report.
“From our battalion, 26 people remain; in the first battalion — 24, in the second battalion — 27, in the third one — a little over 20... Each had about a hundred,” one of the Russian artillerymen told the BBC.
Read also: Over 300k Russian soldiers eliminated in Ukraine since Feb. 2022
Oleksandr Musiyenko, the head of the Center for Military-Legal Research, stated in a Nov. 9 interview with Radio NV that the Ukrainian Armed could launch a rapid offensive if they manage to establish a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro in Kherson Oblast.
As of Nov. 9, Ukrainian forces have reportedly consolidated two tactical footholds near the Antonivsky automobile and railway bridges into one, slightly larger than the previous two. They are likely “holding it quite densely,” said Ukrainian military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets, who has long been involved in defense planning, the use of troops, and the development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Mashovets also claims that in at least two locations, the advanced units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have successfully severed the coastal road between Oleshky and Nova Kakhovka, which stretches 53 kilometers northeast of Kherson.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
