The Ukrainian army said on Sunday it had pushed the Russians back “from a depth of 3 to 8 km” on the left bank of the Dnieper occupied by the Moscow army, marking the first numerical estimate of Kiev troops’ advance in that area in months a disappointing counteroffensive.
“Preliminary figures vary between 3 and 8 km, depending on the characteristics, geography and topography of the Left Bank,” army spokeswoman Natalia Goumeniouk told Ukrainian television.
If this advance is confirmed, it would be the largest advance by the Ukrainian army against the Russians in several months.
However, Natalia Goumeniouk did not provide any information about whether the Ukrainian armed forces were in full control of this area of the Kherson region (south) or whether the Russian army had retreated in the face of attacks by Kiev troops.
“The enemy continues its artillery fire on the right bank,” she explained, estimating the number of Russian soldiers present in the area at “several tens of thousands.”
“We still have a lot to do,” the Ukrainian army spokesman continued.
The long-awaited counteroffensive by Kiev and its Western allies failed last June, allowing the Ukrainian army to recapture only a handful of villages in the south and east.
Ukraine’s last major success in its counteroffensive was the recapture of the village of Robotyné in August in the southern Zaporizhia region.
Kiev hoped that this reconquest would allow it to break through Russian lines and liberate the occupied territories, but the Ukrainian army was unsuccessful given the firepower and solid Russian defensive lines.
Taking deep positions on the left bank of the Dnieper could enable a major attack to the south. To do this, however, Ukraine must be able to deploy large numbers of men, vehicles and equipment in this difficult to access, sandy and swampy area.
The AFP is unable to confirm or deny the belligerents’ claims.