Russia claims to block Ukrainian forces from crossing the Dnieper River

Russia's Defense Ministry said its military had successfully prevented Ukrainian forces from crossing the Dnieper River in the southern Kherson region.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian "sabotage and reconnaissance" teams were stopped today while trying to cross the Dnieper River near the villages of Pridniprovke, Tiahynka and Krynky.

Russia also said it destroyed river crossing equipment and vehicles and inflicted significant casualties on Ukrainian forces near the village of Stanislav.

Ukraine has not commented on the above information.

Russian servicemen in Kherson province in November 2022. Photo: RIA Novosti — Russian servicemen in Kherson province in November 2022. Photo: *RIA Novosti*

The information was released after the US Institute for the Study of War released a report on October 20 saying that Ukrainian forces appeared to have broken through the east bank of the Dnieper River in Kherson.

Russia annexed Kherson Oblast after a referendum in September 2022, a move Ukraine did not recognize. After a blitzkrieg late last year, Ukraine regained parts of Kherson Oblast on the west bank of the Dnieper River.

The total area of Kherson region on the east bank of the Dnieper River that Russia controls is equivalent to about 75% of the entire region.

Ukraine has repeatedly deployed small units using boats to cross the Dnieper River to attack Russian positions on the east bank. This move is considered to have caused Russian defense forces in the area a "headache" to respond, but has not achieved any significant results.