Unique situation: What is happening on Kherson region left bank in Ukrainian troops' foothold

Ukrainian foothold

This week, the head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, stated that Ukrainian forces managed to cross the Dnipro River and gain a foothold on the left bank of the Kherson region. While he did not provide specific details, this statement quickly spread through the media.

The latest report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also mentions that the geolocation shoot published on November 13 shows the advancement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine towards Krynky (2 km off the Dnipro River bank).

"ISW continues to assess that Ukrainian forces have been conducting more extensive than usual ground operations on the eastern bank of the Kherson region since mid-October 2023, and Ukrainian forces appear capable of holding and securing their current positions on the Russian-controlled side of Dnipro," analysts noted.

What the Armed Forces of Ukraine say

The Armed Forces are cautious in commenting about successes on the left bank of the Kherson region. Today, spokesperson for the South Defense Forces Natalia Humeniuk called for keeping information silence. But she hinted that it would be possible to talk about great successes later.

"The front line is quite dynamic today. It is obvious that the enemy is being pressed. For now, we ask for information silence so that our planned scenario works, which will allow us to report on great successes later," Humeniuk said on Ukrainian TV.

If you look at the Deepstate map, you can see a wide gray zone (territory not under anyone's permanent control) along the Dnipro on the left bank of the Kherson region.

A unique situation

According to military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko, there is currently a "unique situation with a growing gray zone" on the left bank of the Kherson region, stretching from Oleshky to Nova Kakhovka mainly along the Russian first line of defense along the road leading from Oleshky to Nova Kakhovka through the villages of Krynky, Kozachi Laheri, Pishchanivka, and others.

"In some places, this gray zone has already absorbed most of these settlements, and in some locations, it has cut, absorbed this road, logistics itself. This significantly reduces the mobility and capabilities of the Russian occupiers to resist expansion and growth," the expert told RBC-Ukraine.

In the Krynky area, mentioned in the ISW report, this gray zone entered the forest, which leads to the main logistical artery of the Russians - route 2206, running from Oleshky almost through the entire Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to Melitopol. Currently, this artery is used by the Russians, including for resisting the growth of the gray zone.

"The Russian command, despite the fact that false information about some incomprehensible 'gesture of goodwill' from the Kherson region was spread the day before, is not trying today to create conditions for the escape from this foothold. On the contrary, measures are being taken by the resources of two brigades to block the expansion of this gray zone using appropriate forces and means," explained Kovalenko.

Until the Ukrainian forces cut off route 2206, there is no reason to talk about a critical threat to the Russians on the left bank of the Dnipro, stresses the expert, adding that any advancement by the Ukrainian Armed Forces means the liberation of territories.

"Therefore, one cannot say it may be some separate combat task. It is an overall combat task for the liberation of territories. If we talk about ensuring the conditions for a safer stay on the right bank, then yes, it can also be considered. But for now, it is too early to say that this is the main goal for the gray zone to keep growing," he concluded.

The mayor of Nova Kakhovka, Volodymyr Kovalenko, and the head of the Oleshky City Administration, Tetiana Hasanenko, recently stated that some settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region have become depopulated as a result of the Russian occupation.