President Zelenskiy has claimed that Ukrainian forces are advancing on the east bank of the Dnipro River in a bid to retake Russian-held territory in the south. Ukrainian government officials have recently made repeated claims that they are expanding their base in the eastern coast.
“Left Bank of Kherson Oblast. Our warriors,” Zelenskyy posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), along with images and footage. He continued, “Thank you for their strength and progress.”
Earlier on the 17th, Ukrainian Marines said the operation had been successful this week, including the capture of several new positions. Zelenskiy’s comments seem intended to emphasize this point.
The possibility that Ukrainian forces may have advanced on the eastern bank stands in contrast to eastern Ukraine, which includes areas around Bakhmut and Audiivka, where Russian forces have recently stepped up attacks. As the war enters another winter, Ukraine’s General Commander-in-Chief Zarzhny recently spoke of a stalemate.
The Marines said on Facebook that they had “established strongholds” in several locations along the eastern coast. Earlier this week, Secretary of State for the President Yermark also used similar language.
According to the US think tank Institute for Warfare (ISW), Ukrainian forces appear to have advanced around Klinki, about 30 kilometers northeast of the city of Kherson.
Vladimir Sardo, Russia’s governor of the Russian-controlled Kherson region, warned in a statement this week that Ukrainian forces were crossing the Dnipro River and building up more troops, Reuters reported. .
Original title: Zelenskiy Is Latest to Cite Progress on Dnipro River’s East Bank (excerpt)
Tags: Ukrainian military advances east bank Dnipro River President Zelenskiy claims Bloomberg
