Espreso. Global

Russia builds echelons of defense on Kherson region's left bank – ISW

18 November, 2023 Saturday
11:50

Russian forces are applying lessons learned from attempts to man Russian multilayered defenses in western Zaporizhzhia region during the Ukrainian counteroffensive to current Russian defensive operations in Kherson region

client/title.list_title

The Institute for the Study of War reports this in its latest assessment of the frontline situation in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian General Staff acknowledged that Russian forces have a “fairly serious” line of fortifications in Kherson region. Ukrainian forces operating on the left bank of Kherson Oblast characterized Russian defensive positions as “elaborate dugouts that Russian forces constructed over months”.

Russian forces also heavily mined the area around Krynky, 30 km northeast of Kherson city and 2 km from the Dnipro River, where Ukrainian forces currently maintain positions. Russian forces are not deploying their forces in a “pillar formation” at the immediate frontline on the east bank, likely in an effort to protect concentrations of Russian forces from Ukrainian artillery fire and drone strikes.

The Russian command in the Kherson direction has refused to commit additional forces of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division and 7th Air Assault (VDV) Division beyond elements of single regiments and battalions to the frontline, opting instead to maintain the remainder of these formations in near rear areas and secondary echelons of defense.

Experts note that Russian forces have not constructed extensive visible defensive fortifications similar to those that Russian forces established in western Zaporizhzhia region prior to the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and appear to have opted for more discrete fortifications set further from the frontline. 

However, according to the analysts, the discrete fortifications located away from the frontline in Kherson region will only be fully effective if they remain concealed. Fall and winter weather conditions may reveal some concealed positions as foliage and natural ground cover die.

  • The day before, the Ukrainian Marine Corps command said that they had managed to consolidate several footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson sector. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are pushing the Russian forces as far away from the right bank as possible to protect Ukrainian civilians from constant Russian shelling.



 
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Sunday
15 September
13:55
Britain, U.S. concerned over Russia-Iran weapons and nuclear tech exchange – media
13:18
OPINION
"Shadow fleet" shields Russia from sanctions
12:49
164 skirmishes at Russian-Ukrainian front: Russia focuses on Pokrovsk and Kurakhove
12:19
Exclusive
Russia will increase logistical burden on Crimean bridge, Ukrainian Navy says
11:46
Exclusive
Combat operations in Kursk region are highly dynamic, with no defined contact line – Ukrainian military
11:17
Russia attacks Ukraine with nearly 300 drones, 800+ missiles in one week – Zelenskyy
10:47
Russia loses 6 tanks, 23 artillery systems, 1,170 soldiers in a day of war in Ukraine
2024, Saturday
14 September
19:55
Scholz's party calls for creation of contact group for Ukraine-Russia negotiations
19:30
Russian forces kill three farmers near Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia region
19:08
Netherlands unable to deliver promised additional Patriot system to Ukraine: journalists give reasons
18:46
83 clashes at front: Russian army is active in Pokrovsk, Kurakhove sectors - Ukraine's General Staff
18:25
Exclusive
U.S. vs China: lawmaker on peace initiatives regarding Russia's war against Ukraine
18:07
Ukrainian troops show how they surround Russian forces in Kursk region
17:48
Exclusive
War with Russia won't end even if Ukraine's 1991 borders are restored - 103rd Brigade
17:26
Exclusive
Russia, Iran act as allies now, trying to destroy free world order - American expert Fried
17:05
Guerrillas explore territory of radio plant in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region
16:44
Exclusive
No peace talks or preconditions for them now - Russian opposition expert Morozov
16:20
NATO could prevent Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, admits Stoltenberg
16:02
Exclusive
Russia to pick convenient moment for next strike if Ukraine doesn't join NATO, EU - expert Fried
15:40
Exclusive
New Russia-Iran deal focuses on adapting missile engines - aviation expert
15:19
Updated
Ukraine returns 103 Ukrainian servicemen from Russian captivity, including 23 Azov defenders
15:00
Ukraine's Defense Ministry authorizes mobile workshops for weapons repair
14:42
Russian army destroys Skhidnyi overpass in Pokrovsk
14:23
OPINION
On Trofimova's 'anti-war' film Russians at War
14:01
Updated
U.S. imposes new sanctions against Russian propaganda: Blinken notes RT's global influence
13:40
Review
Counteroffensive in Kursk region: Russia's goals, Ukraine’s strategy in Horlivka sector. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:17
Russia attacks power facility in Sumy region, killing one employee, injuring 7 more
12:59
Exclusive
Ukraine's negotiation strength relies on four major factors - General Kryvonos
12:38
UK intelligence shows bridges destroyed by Ukrainian army in Russia's Kursk region
12:20
Russia yet to launch major counteroffensive to drive Ukraine out of Kursk region - ISW
11:59
138 clashes occur at front, Russian army advances in Kurakhove direction - Ukraine's General Staff
11:37
'Ukraine sets up concentration camps in Kursk region': Russian fakes for September 13
11:18
Updated
Russia launches over 70 Shahed drones against Ukraine - Zelenskyy
10:56
Russia loses 1,210 soldiers, 25 artillery systems, air defense in one day of war in Ukraine
10:35
Poland may transfer additional MiG-29s to Ukraine, says FM Sikorski
2024, Friday
13 September
21:35
Russia to be invited to second Peace Summit in November - Zelenskyy
21:20
Kamala Harris pushes Ukraine-focused ads in crucial election states
21:05
Russia plans to deploy up to 70,000 troops to Kursk region - Zelenskyy
20:50
Ukraine’s Kursk operation drives record number of missing Russian soldiers appeals
20:35
Robots might replace half of frontline troops, Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Ministry says
More news