Ukrainian crossed the Dnipro. Russians have to worry
3:43 PM EDT, October 19, 2023
The Ukrainian marines, roughly the strength of a company, crossed the Dnipro and broke through the Russian defense on the eastern bank of the occupied Kherson region, in the vicinity of the towns of Poyma and Pishchanivka - reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest report. Russian sources are concerned that this might be part of a wider Ukrainian landing operation.
According to Russian sources, Ukrainian forces of roughly the size of a company successfully made a nighttime landing on the left bank of the Dnipro in the Kherson region occupied by Russian troops.
Geolocated recordings posted on the internet on October 18 suggest that Ukrainian forces have reached the village of Pishchanivka (about 9 miles east of Kherson and about 2 miles from the Dnipro) and Poyma (about 7 miles east of Kherson and about 2 miles from the Dnieper). The situation in the area is unclear. Some reports suggest that Poyma is in Ukrainian hands. It is also unknown whether SZU soldiers are still operating in these areas, or if they have withdrawn across the Dnipro.
Is this part of a larger operation?
ISW reserves that it does not see sufficient Ukrainian activity on the left bank to deploy mechanized troops. However, it indicates that Russian sources note that the Ukrainians' raid across the Dnipro was larger than previous ones.
"Russian sources clearly show concerns about Ukrainian actions on the eastern bank in the Kherson region and see them as part of a potential larger operation," writes ISW. According to analysts, these concerns may result from the relative weakness of the Russian grouping on this front after redirecting better-prepared forces to the Zaporizhia region.
Did the Ukrainian General Staff confirm the landing?
The Ukrainian Pravda portal notes that the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine indirectly confirmed operations on the left bank of the Dnipro. On Thursday morning, it was reported that Russian aviation was shelling Pishchanivka, among other locations, suggesting that Ukrainian troops were stationed there.
