Russia Launches Risky Missions to Secure Foothold Across Dnipro, Says Ukraine

Russian forces are relentlessly attempting to establish a foothold on the western bank of Ukraine’s Dnipro River, launching high-casualty missions to justify territorial claims in future peace talks, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, the Ukrainian governor of Kherson region.

Persistent Attacks Across Key Locations

Prokudin stated that Russian troops are trying to cross the river at four different points, aiming to reinforce Moscow’s claim over the entire Kherson oblast—one of the four Ukrainian regions Russia seeks to annex.

“Every single day they are trying to cross,” Prokudin said during a visit to the UK. He cited intelligence reports suggesting that Russian commanders had instructed their troops to secure the riverbanks “at any cost,” though many soldiers were reportedly reluctant.

The governor claimed Russia’s strategy is to force the west bank into future negotiations by capturing at least one village, but so far, their attempts have been unsuccessful.

Heavy Russian Casualties

According to Prokudin, the ongoing assaults have led to high casualties, with attacking forces being killed or wounded almost immediately upon crossing. Documents recovered from Russian troops show that some were recent recruits, while others had been fighting in Ukraine for more than two years.

Despite these losses, Russia remains determined to reclaim Kherson’s west bank. The region was largely occupied by Russian forces early in the war but was retaken by Ukraine in November 2022 after Moscow’s forces struggled to maintain supply lines.

Geopolitical Motivations Behind Russian Advances

Kherson is of strategic importance as it controls the mouth of the Dnipro River. Although Putin unilaterally declared the annexation of the entire region in 2022, Russian troops were unable to hold the west bank. Now, analysts believe Moscow is attempting to seize as much land as possible before any potential peace talks.

Ukraine has consistently stated it will not cede territory, but its leadership acknowledges the difficulty of reclaiming more land through military means.

Prokudin suggested that Russia is trying to establish a presence on the western bank as a symbolic victory, particularly as international peace discussions continue. Notably, the US has started direct talks with Russia, sidelining Ukraine in the process.

Possible Outcomes for the War

Prokudin outlined three possible scenarios for the war’s end:

1. A pro-Russian leadership change in Ukraine, leading to territorial concessions and Russia’s borders moving closer to Europe.
2. A negotiated peace settlement with firm security guarantees for Ukraine, though he questioned whether Europe would offer such assurances without US involvement.
3. The most probable scenario: a frozen conflict at current frontlines, which he warned would allow Russia time to rebuild its military capabilities.

UK Partnership and Support for Kherson

While in the UK, Prokudin signed an economic partnership agreement with Lincolnshire, a county known for its agricultural industry and home to around 1,000 Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The partnership aims to strengthen economic ties between the two regions as Ukraine continues to rebuild amid ongoing conflict.