Offensive in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions? What's Russia planning
Photo: Ukrainian soldiers are ready to repel Russian attacks (Getty Images)
The Russians are not abandoning their plans to launch an offensive in southern Ukraine. According to sources, Moscow plans to intensify military operations in the Zaporizhzhia region and the right-bank part of Kherson.
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, the Russians' readiness for an offensive on the right bank of Kherson is even higher than in Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian military officials suggest that the main attack in the Zaporizhzhia region could be directed at the Pyatykhatky area, along the Dnipro River. Additionally, enemy actions may occur near Hulyaipole.
It is noted that in Kherson, the Russians have already attempted to break through to the right bank of the Dnipro. At the end of November, their reconnaissance and sabotage groups were repelled near the Antonivskyi Bridge from the side of the Oleshky settlement.
According to sources, the decision to launch an offensive on Kherson has already been made. The operation will be supervised by the Commander of the Russian Airborne Forces, Mikhail Teplinsky. Up to 4,000 Russian assault troops are expected to be involved in the mission, including:
- 61st Separate Marine Brigade;
- 7th Airborne Assault Division.
These Russian units had already retreated from Kherson in the fall of 2022, adding symbolism to the operation.
It is reported that Russian plans depend on weather conditions.
To reach the right bank of Kherson, the Russian army must cross the Dnipro River, as all the bridges in this area have been destroyed. This necessitates the use of boats or the construction of crossings.
After the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station, part of the Dnipro’s territories turned into marshy areas that freeze in winter, which may facilitate the enemy's crossing.
It was also reported that partisans from the ATESH movement had destroyed Russian soldiers' boats because they feared the islands of the Dnipro and crossing it.
Another problematic factor for the occupiers is that part of the airborne forces from the Dnipro region had been previously redeployed to assist Russian units in the Kursk region, and they have not yet returned.
Sources of RBC-Ukraine doubt the success of Moscow's plans due to the complexity of such an operation. Additionally, Ukrainian troops are already prepared to meet the enemy on the right bank of Kherson, which will complicate the implementation of the offensive.
Earlier, the spokesperson for the southern defense forces of Ukraine, Vladyslav Voloshyn, reported that the Russians had already tried to cross the Dnipro in the area of the Antonivskyi Bridge but did not even reach the middle of the river.
