Russia preparing new attempt to capture Kherson via Korabel bridgehead, says Southern Grouping

Preparation for the offensive on Kherson

Russian occupiers are taking measures aimed at consolidating on the right bank of the Dnipro and accumulating military reserves in the area of the Korabel microdistrict. According to the Southern Grouping of Forces, these actions may indicate the enemy's intention to use this territory as a bridgehead for a further offensive aimed at capturing Kherson.

This was reported to Ukrinform by Anastasiia Shevchenko, Deputy Spokesperson for the Southern Grouping of Forces.

«За наявною інформацією, противник проводить підготовчі заходи, які можуть свідчити про намір надалі закріпитися на правобережжі, накопичити сили в районі Корабела та використати його як можливий плацдарм для подальших дій з метою оволодіння Херсоном» (According to available information, the enemy is carrying out preparatory measures that may indicate an intention to subsequently consolidate on the right bank, accumulate forces in the Korabel area, and use it as a potential bridgehead for further actions aimed at capturing Kherson), she stated.

First failed attempt to land a detachment

Shevchenko recalled that on October 22, Russian troops made their first attempt during the entire period of offensive operations in Kherson Oblast to land detachments on the shore in the Korabel microdistrict. To implement this plan, the enemy employed the tactic of small assault groups: instead of one watercraft, four boats were used, each carrying two servicemen.

«Розрахунок противника полягав у тому, щоб розпорошити увагу та сили українських захисників. Ворог скористався сприятливими для себе погодними умовами, спробу висадки здійснив за умов густого туману та сильного вітру, які мали ускладнити виявлення груп» (The enemy's calculation was to disperse the attention and forces of the Ukrainian defenders. The enemy took advantage of weather conditions favourable to them, carrying out the landing attempt under conditions of dense fog and strong wind, which were intended to complicate the detection of the groups), the deputy spokesperson said.

Results of combat operations

As Shevchenko added, the enemy's plan failed to materialise. Two boats were destroyed before they reached the area of Korabel and Quarantine Island. The other two boats reached the shore, but after the Russian servicemen disembarked, they were also destroyed.

Four Russians managed to reach dry land: one of them was immediately killed, while the other three were taken prisoner by Ukrainian defenders.

«Фактично перша спроба противника створити плацдарм у Херсоні завершилася безуспішно. Замість закріплення на березі російська група зазнала втрат» (In fact, the enemy's first attempt to create a bridgehead in Kherson ended unsuccessfully. Instead of consolidating on the shore, the Russian group suffered losses), she emphasised.

Enhanced monitoring of the coastline

The deputy spokesperson also emphasised that Ukrainian defenders have taken the enemy's tactics into account and have intensified monitoring of the coastline on the right bank of the Dnipro. The situation is under the control of the Defence Forces, in particular units of the Southern Grouping of Forces.

«Спроби противника скористатися погодними умовами для прихованого проникнення не залишаються поза увагою наших військових» (The enemy's attempts to use weather conditions for covert infiltration do not go unnoticed by our military), she emphasised.