Kremlin tries to calm down hysteria over Ukrainian army's operations on Dnipro's left bank

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

It is noted that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke at the board of the Russian Defense Ministry on November 21 and said that Russian troops had obstructed all attempts by Ukraine to conduct successful "landing operations in the Kherson direction." Shoigu went on to say that Russian troops were inflicting colossal losses on Ukrainian forces. 

"Shoigu's statement is likely an attempt to downplay the concerns of some Russian milbloggers about Russia's inability to decisively repel Ukrainian attacks on the eastern bank of the Dnipro, but it is unlikely to calm the complaints that are growing in the Russian information space," analysts say.

Russian propagandists continue to recognize the Ukrainian presence on the left bank of the Kherson region and complain that the occupiers are unable to suppress Ukrainian operations in the area. Instead, analysts believe that the occupiers are not responding to Shoigu's statements, and ISW has not observed any significant changes in the Kherson region that have led to these complaints.

Operation on the left bank of the 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 occupiers in this area.

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