Ukrainian army 'crosses crucial Dnipro River for the first time and soldiers prepare positions to launch counter-offensive deep into Russian-occupied areas', analysts claim

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Ukraine's army have crossed the Dnipro River for the first time since the start of the invasion as soldiers prepare positions to launch a counter-offensive deep into Russian-occupied areas, military analysts have claimed.

Claims of Ukrainian advances onto the eastern bank of the river come just days after reports of a partial Russian retreat in the Kherson region.

The Dnipro River has served as the front line since Vladimir Putin's soldiers retreated from Kherson city back in November, sparking scenes of jubilation from Ukrainian civilians. 

The crossing comes as speculation continues to mount over Ukraine's long-awaited spring offensive, which analysts have suggested may be aimed at pushing 100 miles south of the river at least as far as annexed Crimea.

Analysts from the the US-based Institute for the Study of War said that footage from Russian military bloggers has offered the first 'reliable geolocated imagery of Ukrainian positions' south of the river.

Ukraine's army may have crossed the Dnipro River for the first time as soldiers prepare positions to launch a counter-offensive deep into Russian-occupied areas, military analysts have claimed. Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers fighting near Bakhmut

A BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher fires towards Russian positions on the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region

Claims of Ukrainian advances come just days after reports of a partial Russian retreat in the Kherson region. Putin was pictured visiting Kherson for the first time in over a year last week

'The extent and intent of these Ukrainian positions remain unclear, as does Ukraine's ability and willingness to maintain sustained positions in this area,' it said. 

If Ukrainian forces have breached the river, it would be a major humiliation for Putin and Moscow considering Russian forces bragged about how their withdrawal from Kherson last year allowed them to use the Dnipro River as part of their defence.

The battle for Kherson is deemed to be crucial in a bid to control Crimea - the peninsula in which Moscow annexed nine years ago. 

The Russian-installed head of Ukraine's southern Kherson region denied reports that Ukrainian forces had taken up positions on the Dnipro River's eastern bank.

'There is no enemy foothold on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro river ... our military completely controls that territory,' Vladimir Saldo wrote on his Telegram channel.

'There may be cases of enemy sabotage groups making landings to take a selfie, before being ... destroyed or pushed into the water by our fighters.'

Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine's southern command, neither confirmed nor denied the report, which she told Ukrainian television foreshadowed 'very powerful shelling' in districts around the west bank cities of Kherson and Beryslav. 

'Reacting to such information, the enemy has significantly intensified its attacks on the opposite bank,' she said. Civilians had been injured and about 30 buildings destroyed, including a school, she said. 

People wave a Ukrainian flag in Kyiv, the country's capital, to celebrate the liberation of Kherson in November after Russian troops withdrew

Ealirer on Sunday, Russia's defence ministry on Sunday said its forces had advanced in Bakhmut. Pictured: Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut

She also called for 'informational silence' to ensure operational security. 'I want everyone to understand that it is very difficult work to cross an obstacle like the Dnipro, for example - when the front line runs along such a wide, powerful river,' she said. 'It's necessary to gather up some patience.' 

Earlier on Sunday, Russia's defence ministry on Sunday said its forces had advanced in Bakhmut.

The Telegram post by Ukrainian Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi followed a statement by the Russian ministry that its troops had secured two blocks in western districts, and airborne units were providing reinforcements to the north and south. Russia sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to more advances in eastern Ukraine.

'We hit the enemy, often unexpectedly for him, and continue to hold strategic lines,' the post on Syrskyi's Telegram channel said, under images of him poring over a map with three other uniformed men and with the caption 'Bakhmut frontline. Our defense continues.'

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the private Wagner military force which is leading the Bakhmut assault, has claimed 80 per cent control of the city. 

Kyiv has repeatedly denied claims its troops are poised to withdraw

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
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