ISW analyzes how Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive unfolds in Kherson region
The Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive comprises many coordinated operations, so it takes a certain amount of time for its successful implementation.
This is reported by the Institute for the Study of War.
American analysts note that on August 29, Ukrainian troops began striking Russian pontoon crossings across the Dnipro, which coincided with the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
"The effects of destroying the ferries are likely to be more ephemeral than disabling the bridges, so it makes sense to attack them in conjunction with active ground operations," the ISW emphasized.
Experts drew attention to the fact that Ukrainian military officials confirmed that on August 29, the Armed Forces destroyed a Russian pontoon-ferry crossing 16 km west of Novaya Kakhovka on the right bank of the Dnieper. Ukrainian and Russian sources also reported that the strike was carried out on a pontoon crossing that was built from barges near the Antonivskyi road bridge.
The ISW also stated that the Armed Forces have been making efforts to destroy Russian supply routes for a long time, which indicates a long-term plan consisting of both strikes and ground assaults. These strikes are disrupting the ability of the Russians to supply and reinforce their positions with manpower and equipment that would aid Ukrainian ground counter-offensives.
"Thus, the Ukrainian counteroffensive is a coordinated process that takes some time to execute properly. The Kremlin is likely to use the lack of immediate de-occupation of Kherson or the silence of the Ukrainian military regarding the progress of the counteroffensive to frame the efforts of the Armed Forces as a failure and undermine public confidence in its prospects," summed up ISW.
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