According to analyzes by Western experts, Ukrainian forces have apparently succeeded in taking the left bank of the Dnieper River in the partially liberated Kherson region, previously controlled by Russian occupiers – for the first time since the start of the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. That would indicate a loss of control by Russian units in the region.
According to the US Institute for War Studies (ISW), published geodata and texts by Russian military bloggers indicate that Ukrainian forces have established positions on the left or eastern bank in the Kherson region. However, it is said that the scope and goals of these Ukrainian successes, recorded for the first time, are unclear.
During a Ukrainian offensive in the fall, the Russian army had completely withdrawn from the region’s capital, Kherson, and parts of the region from the west bank of the Dnipro. The aim at the time was to prevent the Ukrainian troops from advancing to the other side of the river.
Evidence of Russian loss of control in the area?
The new development would indicate a loss of control by Russian units in the region. Accordingly, the Russian occupiers could only concentrate on cities. Citing Russian bloggers, who also repeatedly criticize their own military, the ISW experts already see solid supply lines to the positions of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Kiev had always declared that it would liberate all areas occupied by Russian troops. If the region was captured from the Kherson region, the way would be cleared for the Ukrainian army to the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia.
Moscow governor denies ISW information
Russian governor in the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, has denied the US think tank’s statements. That is not the case, he writes on Telegram. “Our army has complete control of the area.” However, it may happen that enemy sabotage groups land and take selfies. A spokesman for the South Ukrainian military command would neither confirm nor deny the ISW’s information.
Losing attacks, but hardly any territorial gains
The ISW experts also assume that the Russian military will not proceed with recommendations to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin to focus on defending positions. Instead of focusing on rallying troops against the backdrop of the planned large-scale Ukrainian offensive, there have been regular attacks that have resulted in losses and hardly any territorial gains, it said.
“The continued push for Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine suggests that the group seeking to freeze the war along the current front lines has not fully convinced Putin of their position,” the analysis said.
The ISW experts suspect this is one of the reasons why the Defense Ministry in Moscow has repeatedly come to terms with the head of Russia’s private army group Wagner, using him to get to Putin. Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is considered a close confidant of Putin – and a man of open words.
Moscow reports territorial gains in Bakhmut
Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported that Russian units were making progress in their attempt to completely take the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Accordingly, they took two more blocks to the west of the city, where heavy fighting had been going on for months. Airborne units would also provide reinforcements to the north and south, it said.
Source: Krone
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