Ukraine expressed a sense of urgency over its smoldering counter-offensive in the south on Thursday, saying Russia was racing to bolster its forces in the region and take further steps to consolidate power. their politics in the territory they control.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia directed dozens of missiles at targets across Ukraine, 25 of which were fired from Belarus, according to the Ukrainian military, even as the country moved troops and equipment to the area. southern Kherson region. Ukrainian forces continue to hold their defenses in eastern Ukraine while targeting key command and control centers and Russian military positions deep behind Russian lines.
The Ukrainians have been setting the stage for a widespread counter-offensive in the south for some time, and long-range missile attacks in recent days have left thousands of Russian troops stationed west of the Dnipro around the Dnipro River. around the port city of Kherson was in a precarious position, largely cut off from Russian strongholds to the east. But Russia is now moving the “maximum number” of forces to the southern front in the Kherson region, the head of Ukraine’s National Security Council told Ukrainian television late Wednesday.
The official, Oleksiy Danilov, described “a very powerful movement of troops” to the front in Kherson.
While Western weapons continued to arrive in the country, they were needed on many fronts and ammunition remained limited. And although Ukraine’s Western allies are racing to train Ukrainian soldiers with new equipment, it is still a work in progress. The Russians have also had months to fortify their defenses, and the Ukrainians have yet to launch any major ground counterattacks.
Mr. Danilov’s comments reflect the urgency for the government in Kyiv to show progress as it continues to build expectations in a country hungry for positive developments after months of brutal fighting.
The deputy head of the operations department of the Ukrainian general staff also said on Thursday that “our troops are gradually liberating the Kherson region.” The official, Oleksii Hromov, cited a village in the northwestern part of the Kherson region as the latest to be recaptured.
The most promising front for the Ukrainians for any possible major advance is to the west of Kherson, where they are backed by the nation’s geography.
The Dnipro River runs the length of Ukraine, dividing the country into east and west. The Kherson area itself is divided by the river, with the regional capital and important port city Kherson on the west bank.
Ukrainian officials and Western military analysts say air strikes this week on a key bridge over the Dnipro and other key roads and bridges in recent days have prompted occupation forces of Russia around the city of Kherson were particularly exposed. A British intelligence report on Thursday said Russia’s main combat force west of the river “now appears to be very vulnerable” to attacks on the bridge.
“The city of Kherson, the most politically important population center occupied by Russia, is now largely isolated from other occupied territories,” the report said. “His loss would seriously undermine Russia’s attempt to view the occupation as a success.”
The head of the Kyiv-loyal Kherson junta said that Russia’s channels of supplying weapons and food to the front lines had been cut off. Official Serhii Khlan said: “Panic is growing among the occupiers.
The Russians will probably try to repair the bridge, he said, but will have to face “the violent flow of the river, making the construction of the bridges impossible”.
The Russians could also try to set up a system to bring equipment across the river, he said, but an announcement by local officials in Kherson loyal to Moscow that there would be no humanitarian shipments for at least three days. days have highlighted their dilemma.
