Ukrainian Troops Secure Foothold on Dnipro River, Pushing Back Russian Forces
After months of brutal stalemate, Ukrainian troops have secured a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, dealing a significant blow to Russian forces in their offensive pushes across eastern Ukraine.
The counteroffensive, launched by Ukraine in June, has been a gritty battle of attrition, with neither side making any real headway. As winter approaches, the prospects of any significant breakthrough in the next few months appear unlikely across the 600-mile front of eastern Ukraine.
However, Ukraine has opened a new front in the southern Kherson region, successfully landing troops across the Dnipro River and holding the ground. This could potentially pressure Russian forces and divert their attention from battlegrounds in the southeastern Zaporizhizhia region.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, expressed optimism, stating, “Against all odds, Ukraine’s defense forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro. Step by step, they are demilitarizing Crimea. We know how to achieve victory.”
David Silbey, a professor of military history and policy at Cornell University, believes that Ukraine maintains a tactical advantage, despite the challenging task of fighting a prolonged war against a larger Russian army.
The Kherson foothold connects to a valuable stronghold in Russian-occupied Crimea, potentially threatening Russia’s control of the region.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are continuing offensives in Ukraine, particularly around the town of Avdiivka in Donetsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of defending Avdiivka, stating, “It is extremely difficult to withstand this onslaught.”
The U.K. Defense Ministry reported that Russian forces are attempting a pincer movement to encircle the town but have faced setbacks in seizing outlying areas from Ukraine.
As the fall muddy season in Ukraine comes to a close, the harsh winter will provide new opportunities for ground vehicles to advance. However, Ukraine’s top general has publicly admitted that a breakthrough in the counteroffensive is not imminent.
Michael O’Hanlon, director of research in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, stated that the larger Russian army is more equipped for a long game, and Russian President Vladimir Putin appears willing to wait it out.
With U.S. primary elections approaching in January, the politics of Ukraine support for Kyiv’s most important backer may become complicated. O’Hanlon expressed doubt that there is any momentum for either side and little prospect of that changing anytime soon.
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