Institute for Study of War (ISW) explains why control over Kinburn spit is essential

This is reported by the Institute for the study of war.

American analysts note that on November 21, Ukraine announced that it was conducting a military operation on the Kinburn spit. Its success determines whether the Ukrainian Armed Forces can better conduct potential operations on the left bank of the Kherson region. 

The ISW notes that the Kinburn spit is located just 4 km across the Strait from Ochakiv and allows to control the entrance to the Dnipro and Southern buh rivers and the ports of Mykolaiv and Kherson. 

The Russian forces used positions on the Kinburn spit for missile and artillery strikes on Ukrainian positions in Ochakiv and other Black Sea coasts controlled by Ukraine.

In addition, the Kinburn spit must be located outside the 25 km range of 152-mm artillery, which Russian troops have accumulated on the left bank of the Dnipro river in the Kherson region. "Control of the Kinburn Spit would allow Ukrainian forces to relieve Russian strikes on the Ukrainian-controlled Black Sea coast, increase naval activity in the area, and conduct potential operations to cross to the left (east) bank in Kherson Oblast under significantly less Russian artillery fire compared to a crossing of the Dnipro River," the ISW concluded.