Ukrainian troops have established a bridgehead on the east bank of the Dnipro river, implying Russia's defensive positions are weakening, report says

• Ukrainian troops have established positions on the east bank of the Dnipro river, the ISW reported.
• Russia lost control of the city of Kherson in November but still occupies the southern region.

Ukrainian troops have established positions on the east bank of the Dnipro river, implying that Russia's defensive positions are weakening, The Institute for Study of War said.

The Washington-based think tank said that it is now marking the territory as Ukrainian-held only after reviewing footage geolocated by Russian military bloggers and other reports about the Ukrainian presence.

The Ukrainian positions have been established north of Oleshky, a town across the river from Kherson.

Ukraine freed the city of Kherson from Russian control in November 2022, but large parts of Kherson Oblast on the other side of the river are still occupied. South of the Kherson region is Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014

The new reports suggest a lack of Russian control of the area, as Russian military bloggers claimed this week that Ukrainian forces had maintained positions on the east bank, have established stable supply lines, and are regularly conducting sorties in the area.

Some of the military bloggers suggested that Ukrainian forces were able to land on the east bank because of the slow rate of Russian artillery fire, which they blamed on the over-centralization of the Russian military command.

The institute could not confirm the extent or the intentions of the Ukrainian positions.

Military bloggers also suggested that Russia might not have control over some islands in the Kinka and Chaika rivers and some Dnipro delta islands.

Russian forces might be prioritizing maintaining defenses in urban areas such as Oleshky and Nova Kakhovka, and have left the islands unmanned, the ISW said.

A video posted online appears to show Ukrainian amphibious vehicles landing on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river and establishing a bridgehead.

These reports come amid expectations that Ukraine is soon to begin a counter-offensive to push back on Russian positions and reclaim as much territory as possible.