Ukrainian intel reports relentless clashes over Dnipro River islands in Kherson region

Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, stated this in a comment to the Crimea.Realities project of Radio Liberty.

He explained: whoever controls the islands on the Dnipro, in some way controls one or the other bank.  

"The situation on the islands remains tense, of course. This is a huge area of responsibility, a territory that must be controlled by specially trained, prepared people, and they must have the appropriate support. Accordingly, whoever controls the Dnipro islands, to some extent controls one or the other bank. There are constant combat clashes over these islands, there are constant battles for these islands," Cherniak said.  

The representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate emphasized that the Ukrainian Defense Forces "are standing firm and do not allow the enemy to reclaim the territory that they try to seize every day."  

It is noted that the islands at the mouth of the Dnipro essentially form the dividing line between the right and left banks of the Kherson region. Russian forces are trying to capture them, as this would help them gain a foothold on the right bank.

• The Russian command is deliberately not withdrawing its troops from the Nestryha and Buhaz islands near Kherson, which significantly affects the morale of the Russian forces.