Ukrainian troops have lost a strategically important foothold on the east bank of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine after almost a week of intense fighting. The Russian-appointed governor of occupied Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, announced that the Ukrainian bridgehead had been eliminated.
According to Saldo, Russian special forces launched a surprise attack from the rear of the Ukrainian troops stationed near the Antonivskyi Bridge. The special forces approached the area by boat, successfully taking control of the bridge and a hotel where Ukrainian fighters were entrenched.
Saldo claimed that an Iskander missile struck close to the Antonivskyi Bridge the previous day, resulting in the deaths of 30 Ukrainian fighters. He added that special forces would carry out a final sweep of the area. However, CNN cannot independently verify Saldo’s claims or any other reports on battlefield developments.
The Antonivskyi Bridge has been the center of heavy fire between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the southern Kherson region. Earlier this week, military bloggers reported that Ukraine had established a bridgehead on the Russian-controlled east bank of the Dnipro River. Russian officials denied these claims, but now Moscow-backed leaders in the area confirm that the bridgehead has been eliminated.
Analysts believe that the Ukrainian action in Kherson is aimed at keeping Russian troops in the region and preventing their re-deployment to the front in Zaporizhzhia, a crucial southern region. The Ukrainian military’s goal is to reclaim Zaporizhzhia, which is seen as the key to cutting off occupied southern Ukraine from the Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula.
The developments in southern Ukraine have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Reclaiming control over Zaporizhzhia would significantly impact the strategic balance in the region. However, with conflicting reports and limited independent verification, the situation remains uncertain.
The events described highlight the continued volatility and complexity of the situation in Ukraine. It is essential to seek reliable sources of information and exercise caution when interpreting reports from the region.