Ukrainian forces continue their fight to drive Russia out of the south by bombing bridges, disrupting supply lines and attacking enemy forces with air strikes. Kiev says Moscow is redeploying troops to the south, especially the Kherson region, which borders Crimea.
Three villages have been liberated by his troops in the Russian-occupied territory. Military chief Oleksii Hromov, quoted by news channel Ukrainska Pravda, said: “Our military units and sub-units are continuing the gradual liberation of Kherson Oblast from the occupation forces of the Russian Federation.
“Ivanivka and Lozove have been liberated for the past two weeks and Andriivka this week.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that his country’s troops attacked the Antonivskyi road bridge in Kherson in order to deprive Russian troops of the opportunity to transfer troops to the Kherson region.
Russia is reportedly sending reinforcements to the area as it is determined to hold onto its land bridge.
The Defense Ministry said today that the 49th Russian Army, stationed on the western bank of the Dnipro River, “seems very vulnerable now” after Ukrainian long-range artillery hit the three bridges.
The intelligence update continued “one of these, the 1000-meter-long Antonivskyi Bridge near the city of Kherson, was damaged last week” and after another strike this week “it is very likely that the crossing is now unusable”.
It claimed “Kherson City, the most politically important population center occupied by Russia, is now virtually cut off from the other occupied territories”.
The Russians still control large areas northeast of the city and can supply troops on the western bank with pontoon bridges and river ferries across the Dnipro.
NOT MISSING:
Couple criticize parking company after fine despite buying ticket [REPORT]
From what age can a child be left home alone? [REVEALED]
Meghan Markle Unleashes ‘A New War of Words’ in Oprah Lawsuit [LATEST]
William Alberque, of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, told The Moscow Times: “I think the Russians are really concerned that they will suffer strategic losses in the south.
“This is a question of how many forces Ukraine can throw forward.”
Moscow has taken a number of steps to get Kherson into Russia’s orbit since Putin’s forces conquered parts of southern Ukraine.
The ruble has been introduced, Russian mobile networks have been installed and Ukrainians in the occupied south have been given accelerated Russian citizenship.
TASS has reported that the Kremlin-installed government in the area has formed an election commission to pave the way for a referendum on Kherson’s accession to Russia.
Moscow has also cracked down on signs of support for Ukraine or resistance to the Russian occupation.
Human Rights Watch accused Moscow last week of turning Kherson into an “abyss of fear and wild lawlessness”.
But there are signs of hope that the Ukrainians will prevail.
Mr Alberque said: “HIMARS is tearing apart Russian logistics, ammunition depots and command posts in the Kherson area.”
Konrad Muzyka, an analyst and head of the Poland-based Rochan consultancy, told The Moscow Times: “At this point, it’s hard to predict what might happen because we don’t know how much manpower and equipment both sides have. I’d say that Ukraine is likely to make incremental profits around Kherson.”
Alberque said retaking Kherson would give Ukraine’s armed forces a much-needed morale boost.
He explained: “The recapture of Kherson would greatly revitalize the Ukrainian military and further increase international support.”