Ukrainian marines land on left bank of Dnipro river and break through Russia's defense - ISW

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

According to Russian media, two Ukrainian “assault groups” landed on the east bank of the Dnipro River and broke through initial Russian defenses, temporarily occupying Poyma and positions on the northern outskirts of Pishchanivka on the afternoon of October 17. It is reported that as of October 18, the invaders control only the southern part of Pishchanivka.

Geolocated footage published by ISW experts on October 18 shows that Ukrainian troops have advanced north of Pishchanivka and toward Poyma.

Russian concerns about the ability of Russian forces to repel a potential Ukrainian offensive operation across the Dnipro River may be partially connected to the condition of the Russian grouping of forces on the left bank. The Russian command has drawn relatively more elite units from the Kherson direction to support defensive operations in the western Zaporizhzhia region.

• On September 14 and 15, the Ukrainian military crossed the Dnipro River, presumably to consolidate their positions and prepare for an offensive on the left bank of the Kherson region. The Russians 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 Defense Forces footholds on the Dnipro's left bank.