Kherson region to become powerful direction of Ukrainian army's strategic breakthrough - General Malomuzh

He spoke about this on Espreso TV.

"The south, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, is extremely difficult for the Russian army in operational and strategic terms. We are actively conducting operations in the direction of Tokmak and Melitopol and are gradually entering from the flanks. The second powerful component is the Kherson region and the transition of Ukrainian units to the left bank of the Dnipro River, which creates the preconditions for cutting the southern corridor and strengthening our positions in this area with systemic troops, such as the Special Operations Forces and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It also allows us to create preconditions for encircling a large enemy group in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. These are actually the prerequisites for the liberation of the south," noted the general.

According to him, Russia does not have the forces and means to bring its reserves to these areas. Because, following Putin's political instructions, the Russian army is attempting to conduct offensive operations in the directions of Kupyansk, Svatove, Kreminna, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka, Lyman, and is also trying to hold its positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction. This means that it is extremely difficult for Russia to deploy units to the Kherson direction.

"We already have several hundred of our marines and other representatives of the Special Forces who are gradually recapturing certain areas near Pishchanivka and other places, expanding Ukraine's control zone. Further powerful movement in the Kherson region is actually cutting not only a corridor, but also closing off a large hostile group from the south. These are the prerequisites for the destruction of this enemy group and the prospects for movement to Crimea. This format determines the strategy. Today we have preliminary successes, so the Russian enemy feels very uncomfortable," emphasized Mykola Malomuzh.

Malomuzh added that the invaders, unable to bring their powerful forces to this area, are already considering various options for evacuation. That is, they secretly transport documents, rob the local population in order to take the loot when retreating, send their families, collaborators start leaving - all these signs clearly indicate that the enemy is ready to retreat from these centers because they see no real prospects.

"We maneuver and strike at Russia's pain points, and this is the model of action of the Special Forces, which are trained to do so. This moment can be extremely effective for the Kherson region. I think that Kherson region will be one of the most powerful areas for a strategic breakthrough, and the General Staff is already planning this. This area will be extremely relevant in the coming months, in the winter and spring of next year," the general summarized.

Operation on the left bank of Kherson region

On September 14 and 15, Ukrainian troops crossed the Dnipro River, presumably to consolidate their positions and prepare for an offensive on the left bank of the Kherson region. The Russian forces claim that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been preparing to cross the Dnipro since July.

On September 20, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on new footholds of the Defense Forces on the left bank of the Dnipro.

The Institute for the Study of War said that units of two Ukrainian marine brigades probably crossed the Dnipro River on October 17-18 and landed on the left bank of the river in Kherson region.

On October 20, ISW stated that the Ukrainian offensive on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson region appears to be larger than previous raids. Geolocation footage shows that the Ukrainian Armed Forces maintain a presence along the Dnipro bank and near the Antonivskyi Bridge. On the same day, Zelenskyy came to Kherson region to hold a meeting and present awards.

On October 21, ISW reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to conduct larger-than-usual ground operations on the left bank of the Kherson region. In particular, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting in the village of Krynky. 

Also, according to the spokesperson of the Southern Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, in order to "make life easier" on the right bank of the Dnipro River, it is necessary to clear a part of the left bank, which remains under fire from the Russian troops.

On November 1, the ISW reported that the Ukrainian military attempted to breach the Russian defenses near Pishchanivka and Poyma on Dnipro's left bank in the Kherson region. The army is also maintaining positions in Krynky and near the Antonivskyi roadway.

On November 8, it was reported that Ukrainian forces have moved a limited number of armored vehicles to the left bank of the Kherson region. Meanwhile, several hundred Ukrainian defenders are operating there.

On November 10, the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Defense Forces cut the Oleshky-Nova Kakhovka road in Kherson region and created additional logistical problems for the Russian invaders in this area.

On November 20, Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Volunteer Army South, said that Ukrainian marines destroyed several Russian trucks on the Oleshky-Nova Kakhovka road.

On November 22, the head of the Kherson regional council, Oleksandr Samoilenko, said that the invaders were taking valuables and documents from the left bank of the Kherson region.