Moscow acknowledges Ukrainian troops positions on the Dnipro River

For the first time, Russia reported Wednesday that small groups of Ukrainian forces have established positions on the Russian side of the Dnipro River.

According to the Moscow-installed governor of Ukraine’s Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, some Ukrainian soldiers were blocked in Krynky, a small village on the eastern side of the Dnipro River, and were facing a fiery hell from Russian artillery, rockets, and drones.

For the past year, the huge Dnipro River has divided the frontline in southern Ukraine between Ukrainian soldiers on one side and Russian forces on the other.

The Ukrainian military has attempted several times to cross the border and establish a foothold on the Russian-controlled side, which they can use to push Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory.

According to Saldo, there are about one and a half enemy companies, mostly in small groups, stretching down the eastern bank.

A company in the Russian military system, according to Russia’s TASS news agency, consists of 45-360 troops.

“Our reinforcements have now been deployed. In Krynky, the enemy is obstructed. We’ve prepared a fiery hell for them: bombs, rockets, heavy flamethrower systems, artillery shells, and drones”, Saldo stated.

His remarks are the first time a senior Russian official has admitted that Ukraine has secured some points on the Russian-controlled side of the river.

The Kremlin earlier this week refused to comment on claims that some Ukrainian troops had crossed the river, instead directing queries to Russia’s defence ministry.

Russia’s defence ministry has made no public comments.

Ukraine’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, stated Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro, without providing any information.

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