Ukrainian Forces Cross Dnipro River in Attempt to Breach Southern Frontline

Russian Bloggers Report Boats Landing East of Kherson as Ukrainian Soldiers Break Through Defensive Lines

Ukrainian forces have taken a bold step by attempting to cross the Dnipro River, a significant move that challenges the established frontline in the south of Ukraine. According to reports from Russian military bloggers, up to seven boats carrying six to seven people each landed near the village of Kozachi Laheri, east of Kherson city, on Tuesday. These boats successfully broke through Russian defensive lines, marking a potentially game-changing development in the ongoing conflict.

Russian sources have indicated that the Ukrainian soldiers advanced up to 800 meters after reaching the riverbank. However, Russian forces managed to counter the advance to some extent. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-imposed head of the occupied part of the Kherson oblast, claimed that the Ukrainian raid had been repelled. Yet, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington have suggested that the success of the Ukrainian forces might have been downplayed.

The ISW pointed out that "limited raid" tactics might have yielded more success than acknowledged by Saldo. Satellite imagery also hints at a significant battle in the area. The ISW noted, "Hotspots on available NASA Fire Information for Resource Management System [FIRMS] data from the past 24 hours in this area appear to confirm that there was significant combat, likely preceded or accompanied by artillery fire."

While Russian sources updated their claims over the day, stating that Russian forces retained control over Kozachi Laheri and had pushed Ukrainian forces back to the shoreline, skirmishes continue along the shoreline areas.

This attempt to cross the Dnipro River is not the first by Ukrainian forces, as the river has long served as the dividing line between the two warring nations. However, this recent landing stands out as one of the most significant in recent months. Despite doubts about the sustainability of Ukrainian positions, this move signifies a determined effort to alter the dynamics of the conflict.

Ukrainian forces had been anticipated to make headway in Kherson during their counteroffensive. However, the rupture of the Nova Kakhovka dam in June resulted in the widening of the Dnipro River in crucial sections, making advances across the water more challenging.

Meanwhile, in Moscow, a tragic incident unfolded at the Zagorsk optical and mechanical plant in Sergiev Posad, where an explosion led to the loss of one life and injuries to at least 50 individuals.