Ukrainian military have established a presence on the left or east bank of the Dnipro river, according to chief of staff of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, Andriy Yermak.
Although some Ukrainian soldiers have established positions in a settlement, Russia acknowledges this and says the forces will soon be routed.
Ukraine would make great progress if the region is held.
A year ago, Russia withdrew from the right side of the river.
Since then, efforts have been made by the Ukrainian army to establish and maintain a bridgehead on its eastern coast.
Referencing a secured position using a military word, “The Armed Forces of Ukraine captured a bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro,” Mr. Yermak stated to a US research group.
Prior to this, US-based specialists said that only slight progress had been made inside the village of Krynky, which was regained a year ago. It is located 30 kilometres from the city of Kherson and 2 km (1.25 miles) inland from the river.
On Wednesday, Russia acknowledged that “small groups” of Ukrainian soldiers had taken up positions in the left-bank settlement.
However, Vladimir Saldo, the officer appointed by the Russians to oversee the still-occupied Kherson region, maintained that they had suffered significant casualties and were stuck in a “fiery hell” with no prospect of victory. “We have now deployed our additional forces. “Krynky is the enemy’s trap,” he declared.
Two days after the strange publication and subsequent withdrawal of news of a withdrawal from positions on the left bank by Russian state media, he finally acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had established a foothold.
There had been several unsuccessful attempts in the spring and summer to cross the river.
Small boat raids over the Dnipro were carried out by Ukrainian forces on multiple occasions. But the task was made harder by Kyiv’s lack of air superiority.
Ukrainian forces might be able to start moving armoured cars and air defence systems across the river after they secure a bridgehead. This would move them closer to their goal of infiltrating Crimea, the peninsula that Russia unlawfully acquired in 2014.
“The military forces of Ukraine are gradually demilitarising Crimea. 70% of the route has been travelled, Mr. Yermak continued. He pleaded with Western nations to arm Kiev more, claiming that Russian drones operating in Iran and North Korean artillery were being used against Ukrainian forces.
According to President Zelensky, combat is getting worse in the east, close to the town of Avdiivka, on Tuesday. However, he went on to say that Russian forces were “losing men and equipment” in their attempt to take control of the damaged city.
In June, Ukraine began its much awaited counteroffensive with the goal of regaining land in the east and south. Still, the counteroffensive has not succeeded in regaining any substantial ground.