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, Saturday
19 April
15:04
Review
Unexpected impact: Trump’s tariff policy hits Russia’s budget, may lower gas prices in Ukraine
14:42
Russia pushes U.S. to lift aviation sanctions, but EU blocks move
14:25
Russian forces drop 10 bombs on Kupiansk, injuring 5 civilians
14:07
OPINION
Easter ceasefire: is it on table?
13:49
Kremlin seeks to install pro-Russian lawmakers in Moldova to undermine Ukraine — Sandu
13:31
OPINION
"Contra spem spero"
13:16
Nearly 100 Russian soldiers attempt to flee military unit in Krasnodar
13:00
OPINION
Zero hour: situation nears its breaking point
12:43
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, April 12-19
April 12–19 live war map: Russian forces launch desperate motorcycle assaults in rush to capture any ground
12:27
Review
Russia resorts to missile terror tactics, regroups on frontlines. Serhiy Zgurets' column
12:05
Exclusive
Which country can help Ukraine strengthen its air defense? Expert explains
11:33
Lithuania plans to fortify Suwałki Corridor amid fears of potential Russian attack
11:11
Panic grips Russian Black Sea Fleet: senior officers’ families flee Sevastopol
10:54
Russia loses 940,000 troops in war against Ukraine
10:36
U.S. reportedly open to recognizing Crimea as Russian in potential peace deal — media
10:21
Updated
Trump confirms U.S. may withdraw from mediation between Russia, Ukraine
2025, Friday
18 April
21:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian politician: Trump can't blame Ukraine for failed peace talks
21:30
Exclusive
Trump aims to establish "mini-Trump" governments across Europe — foreign relations expert 
21:10
Trump declares record number of emergencies in first 100 days
20:55
Troops fighting since 2022 to be replaced: Ukraine’s Defense Ministry discusses rotation plans
20:30
“Helping is Christian thing to do”: Zelenskyy appeals to U.S. for air defense after Kharkiv attack
20:10
Updated
Russia’s attack on Kharkiv kills one, injures over 100
19:50
OPINION
Ukraine war will not end: Paris talks signal collapse of diplomacy with Moscow
19:26
First woman becomes F-16 fighter pilot in Poland
19:05
U.S. outlines peace deal, proposing to freeze war, leave Ukraine's territories under Russian control
18:41
Exclusive
Russia’s seeks to exploit Ukrainian children for military potential — Bring Kids Back UA
18:19
Russian forces launch 65 attacks on April 18, focus on Pokrovsk
18:01
About 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain under Russian occupation — Bring Kids Back UA
17:38
Russia launches propaganda against Moldova over alleged persecution of Russian Orthodox church
17:19
OPINION
Ukraine peace is out of reach: understanding the logic behind Trump’s next moves
16:58
Russia’s "traditional values" on Good Friday are war crimes — Latvian Foreign Minister
16:42
Washington offers sanctions relief to Moscow in Ukraine peace proposal — media
16:15
U.S. Vice President Vance sees “interesting developments” in Russia-Ukraine talks
15:50
Kremlin responds to U.S. statement on potential withdrawal from Ukraine peace efforts
15:37
Exclusive
Starving, but in Russian military uniforms: Bring Kids Back UA on Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children
15:14
Ukraine returns bodies of 909 fallen defenders
14:56
Review
Between ambition and reality: what’s blocking Ukraine from getting 10 Patriot systems
14:38
Exclusive
PM Shmyhal highlights role of Ukraine-U.S. memorandum in critical minerals deal
14:20
OPINION
Peace in 24 hours: end of illusion
14:05
Witkoff says Ukraine less concerned about its "Russian-speaking" regions
More news