Ukraine’s left bank foothold in Kherson Oblast expands down Dnipro River, say former Aidar Battalion company commander
Ukrainian forces have expanded their foothold on the occupied left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast beyond Krynky, former Aidar Battalion company commander and war veteran Yevhen Dykyi said in an interview with Radio NV on Jan. 25.
"This is a really incredible story. Our marines and special forces on the left bank are not even 300 Spartans, it's much cooler."
"There are already at least four points on the left bank where we have semi-stationary positions. In the military sense, these are positions, but you should not [think] of them as fortifications. One of the biggest challenges there is that it is physically impossible to dig in. You can dig up to a meter, and then cold water comes out," Dykyi said, noting that the Russians also face the same problem, as the terrain does not allow them to build a new “Surovikin line.”
"That's why they are so nervous about this area,” Dykyi said.
“Their only chance there to prevent us from rolling further behind their lines in the spring is during the winter, when it's cold. They are trying to throw all their forces to push us out, across the Dnipro. So far, they have failed to do so at close range, and the foothold is expanding."
Read also: Desperate Russian soldiers near Kherson post video from Krynky imploring Minister Shoigu for relief
He believes that Ukraine is slowly establishing a “continuous strip” of positions along the Dnipro. He noted that the foothold is expanding not inland, but down the river, thanks to the possibility of artillery cover from the right bank, which is under the Ukrainian control.
That is why "we can deploy semi-stationary positions there, which is happening."
The Ukrainian military is focused on pushing south, toward Oleshky and Hola Prystan, and their next goal is to reach the North Crimean Canal to neutralize Russian artillery and to transport Ukrainian equipment to the left bank of the Dnipro.
"So far we are still in the zone where we can cover with artillery from the right bank without moving the guns to the left,” he said.
“This holds us back to a certain extent. But within these limits we can say that we are settling there and expanding the foothold."
Read also: Liberation of Crimea could shield Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa from Russian attacks – ISW
The Armed Forces of Ukraine officially reported on Nov. 17 that Ukrainian soldiers had gained a foothold in several bridgeheads on the occupied left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast. In particular, the events were centered around the village of Krynky.
According to data, they have already destroyed more than 1,000 Russian troops and dozens of pieces of equipment.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces has refuted a statement by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claiming that they had been pushed out of their positions in occupied Kherson Oblast. Citing Russian sources, ISW reported that the invading army was conducting operations on the Kherson Oblast’s left bank and had claimed “progress” on Dec. 13.
Ukrainian forces are maintaining control over a stretch of several kilometers on the left bank of Kherson Oblast, fending off multiple attempted incursions by Russian occupiers, spokesperson for the southern defense forces, Natalia Humeniuk, said on Dec. 20.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kherson Oblast continue to expand their bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River, the General Staff reported on Dec. 28.
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