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
2025, Wednesday
15 January
15:40
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 8-15
January 8-15 live war map: Russia aims to settle key frontline issues before Trump’s inauguration
15:30
Ukrainian parliament extends martial law, general mobilization until May 9
15:11
Exclusive
Russia achieves none of its goals in Ukraine, loses 700,000 troops - NATO Military Committee chief
14:53
Germany allocates new aid package for Ukraine: what it includes
14:35
Captured North Korean troops in Ukraine face deadly orders to protect regime secrets
14:17
Exclusive
Russian army uses 6 different missile types in massive January 15 attack on Ukraine - military expert Zgurets
13:59
Russia targets Ukraine with Kh-55SM missiles carrying nuclear warhead simulators
13:36
OPINION
China is exhausting Russia in Ukraine
13:18
Exclusive
Russia seeks to establish foothold, advance in Kupyansk direction - Khortytsia troop grouping
13:00
Russia launches over 40 missiles, 70 drones at Ukraine: Zelenskyy on massive attack
12:42
Exclusive
North Korea will refuse to acknowledge captured soldiers - human rights advocate
12:24
Exclusive
Russian forces take control of most apartment buildings in Ukraine's Toretsk
12:07
Ukraine must be part of any decision about its future - EU top diplomat
11:50
Review
Russia in flames: Ukrainian forces launch largest strike on Russian territory. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:28
OPINION
Guarantees of Ukraine's disintegration: key takeaways from Lavrov's press conference
11:09
EU shipyards repair Russian Arctic gas tankers despite sanctions - media
10:51
Ukraine reports 170 clashes at front, repels 70 Russian attacks in Pokrovsk sector
10:30
Exclusive
Conscription age in Ukraine may be lowered if partners boost military aid - MP Kniazhytskyi
10:12
Drones target distillery near military training ground in Russia's Tambov region
09:54
Russia's massive missile attack targets critical infrastructure in western Ukraine
09:35
Russia loses 1,580 soldiers, nearly 400 pieces of equipment in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Tuesday
14 January
21:40
Exclusive
Trump to nullify International Criminal Court warrant by meeting with Putin - expert
21:25
Zelenskyy releases video showing interrogation of captured North Korean soldier
21:10
South Korea ready to take DPRK soldiers captured by Ukraine
20:52
OPINION
Biden took the “safe route”
20:30
NATO starts Baltic Sentry mission, Tusk announces increased presence
20:07
46% of Ukrainians prioritize NATO membership over EU accession – KIIS survey
19:46
Exclusive
“Breaking new ground”: Defense Express on Ukraine’s largest strike on Russian military targets
19:25
Updated
Ukrainian Air Force technicians report mass transfers to infantry; General Staff responds
19:06
Volker expects “decisive approach” in Trump’s Ukraine policy
18:45
Depletion of Russian air defense exposes rear regions to strikes
18:24
Ukrainian exports entered 16 new markets in 2024
17:59
Slovak opposition to call no-confidence vote against Fico government over shift to Russia
17:38
Russia’s military aviation: What happens to 1,100 aircraft not in combat over Ukraine?
17:13
Ukraine may cease to exist in 2025, negotiations should be with U.S., says Putin's aide. Ukraine responds
16:52
Military exercises in Gomel District, Belarus, pose no threat to Ukraine – SBGS
16:34
Ukraine sets up 36 working groups to prepare for EU membership negotiations
16:14
Russian "court" sentences seven Ukrainian POWs involved in Kursk operation
16:03
Updated
Ukraine launches massive strike on Russian military targets, up to 1,100 km deep
15:57
Russian agents exploit families of Ukrainian POWs for sabotage
More news