Ukrainian forces 'crossed a decisive river' preparing to strike deep into Russian-occupied territory

Ukrainian military training near the front line in Zaporozhye Photo: Anadolu Analysts say that in the early days of the invasion, they built positions that could be used for attacks deep into Russian-occupied territory.

Crossing the Dnieper River, which marked the front line after the retreat of Russian troops. from the city of Kherson in November, days after reports of a partial Russian retreat in the area.

This is because many expect Ukraine to launch a counteroffensive that analysts say could be aimed at advance 100 miles south. the Dnieper River at least as far as Crimea.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War said the videos and photographs produced the first «reliable geolocation images of Ukrainian positions» south of the river.

“The scope and intent of these Ukrainian positions remain unclear, as does Ukraine’s ability and willingness to maintain a strong position in this area,” the report says.

Several Russian military bloggers used geolocation techniques to pinpoint the positions of Ukrainian troops around Oleshki, south of the Dnieper.

Last week, Russia hit a market in the center of Kherson

Thirteenth, a Russian military blogger with over 100,000 followers, posted a video in which he says Ukrainian special forces use fast small boats to land on the river bank, where “they have been hanging out for a couple of weeks now.”

< p>Another, Rybar, who has ties to the Russian security services and has over 1 million followers, has published a lengthy blog about the «bridgehead» that Ukrainian forces have secured.

Vladimir Saldo, Russian-appointed head of the occupied Kherson region, denied that the Ukrainian military took up positions on the southern bank of the Dnieper.

"Our military is in full control" He said. "Although there may be isolated cases when enemy soldiers managed to take a selfie on the shore before they were fired upon by artillery and destroyed."

The battle for the Kherson region is considered decisive for control of Crimea, which the Kremlin annexed in 2014. If it is confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers have already broken through the river, this will be a serious blow to Russian forces. They boasted that their tactical withdrawal from Kherson last year allowed them to use the Dnieper River as part of their defense.

The Kremlin said Putin met with commanders in the Kherson region early last week. soldiers leaving their positions.

On Tuesday, a Ukrainian military spokesman said he saw Russian soldiers packing their equipment and sending it home, as they did in November before retreating from Kherson.< /p>< p>According to the press secretary of the Ukrainian forces in the south, Natalia Gumenyuk, the Russian occupation authorities collect, pack and send various things to their homeland.

But the Ukrainian authorities do not do this. Expecting an immediate withdrawal, she said, adding that Russian troops were strengthening their defenses and laying mines on the coastline to repel Ukrainian attacks.

The comments came as Vladimir Putin visited bases in the Kherson region, his first since the war , in an obvious show of strength.