This is what the next Ukrainian advance could look like Jennifer Aniston mourns the loss of her father

It was a symbolic slap in the face to Russian President Vladimir Putin: after successful Ukrainian counter-offensives, his forces were forced to withdraw from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson last week. They also gave up the eponymous regional capital. Russia has now completely withdrawn its troops from the right bank of the Dnipro River.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyj celebrated Ukraine’s recent successes – and traveled to the liberated city. He wanted to show his personal support for the people of Kherson with his presence, he told reporters. “So they feel like we’re not just talking about it, not just making promises, but actually coming back and raising our flag.”

A strategically important region

In total, Ukraine says it has recaptured about 180 settlements in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Referring to Task Force South, the Unian agency reported that the liberated areas northwest of the Dnipro River cover an area of ​​approximately 4,500 square kilometers.

This is a serious blow to Moscow because the region is of great strategic importance: from Kherson, Russia could have launched an offensive towards Mykolaiv and the Black Sea port of Odessa. But now it is Ukraine’s turn to use the areas for further warfare. How is the military doing now?

Focused on the Kinburn Peninsula?

Ukrainian troops have been reported to have brought boats to the Kinburn Peninsula, on the south side of the Dnipro River, in recent days. Videos showed several small boats heading for the spit. Although geographically the peninsula belongs partly to Mykolaiv and partly to Kherson, it has been occupied by Russia to this day.

However, a full-fledged landing operation on the swampy peninsula is unlikely, retired Colonel Wolfgang Richter explains in an interview with t-online. “Current movements on the river are exploration at best.” The small boats are by no means sufficient for a complete translation. For this, the Ukrainian units would need “extensive preparation and support of artillery, air strikes”.

Dnipro as winter border

In general, Richter considers it unlikely that Ukrainian units will set up a beachhead on the eastern side of the Dnipro any time soon. “Currently, the important bridges have been destroyed,” explains the retired colonel. “You could only translate with pontoon bridges, which would have to be secured by troops on the east side of the Dnipro.”

Richter therefore assumes that Russian and Ukrainian units in the Kherson area can agree on the front line on the Dnipro by the beginning of winter. The Ukrainians would initially have a lot to do with keeping the city of Kherson they had just conquered and searching and arresting any collaborators.

Attack on the “dream target” Melitopol?

Further east, however, there may be movement. Previously unconfirmed reports from Melitopol indicate that Russian troops are entrenched in the strategically important city. “An attack in the direction of Melitopol is obvious,” Christian Mölling of the German Foreign Policy Association told t-online. The city is a “military dream destination” because from there a breach could be made to the Sea of ​​Azov and a third front could be opened.

However, it is by no means certain that an attack on Melitopol will take place. “To be able to say for sure, we would first need to know whether the Ukrainian armed forces are gathering troops there,” said Wolfgang Richter. In this way, the units of Ukraine could at least avoid a risky crossing of the Dnipro. In addition, the area towards Melitopol is better suited for an advance, explains the ex-soldier.

«Ukraine continues to surprise»

“For military and political reasons, it is important that Ukraine’s armed forces continue to advance,” explains Christian Mölling. In principle, the Russian army should be prevented from settling on the eastern side of the Dnipro after its withdrawal from Kherson and the reservoir town of Nowa Kakhovka.

But from a political point of view, Ukraine also needs to go further, says Mölling. If there are fewer military successes, the willingness to supply more weapons in Europe may decline – and this is much needed. However, the Ukrainian army has repeatedly surprised the West, says Mölling. “Until now you have always achieved more than you gave credit for.”