After months of fierce fighting, Ukrainian troops have faced a setback in the battle to maintain control of a strategic position on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River near Kherson. The hard-won position in the village of Krynky has been lost, with most main positions destroyed by enemy fire, leaving the area in ruins.
The operation to establish a bridgehead on the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the Dnipro was launched last fall amid controversy. While it was initially seen as a move to disrupt Moscow’s logistics and engage its troops in a new front in the south, military analysts had warned about the operational vulnerabilities and limited potential for significant gains.
Despite efforts to secure small pieces of land near the river, including the notable village of Krynky, the operation faced challenges from the start. Ukrainian soldiers involved in the operation expressed frustration over the brutal and seemingly futile nature of the mission.
Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst with the Finland-based Black Bird Group, commented, “From a military perspective, it is hard to justify the objectives of this operation. The initial goals appear to have fallen short of expectations, given the difficulties faced on the ground.”
