Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. [65] On 7 July, Ukraine retook Snake Island,[66] affording Ukraine access to valuable sea channels and grain export lanes. Ukrainian targets included bridges across the river, as well as the roads, pontoons, barges and landing areas. Should Russian S-300s, S-400s, Tor-Ms, and Buk-Ms air defense systems be largely suppressed particularly by the HIMARS which have already proved capable of destroying S-400s in occupied Luhansk on July 13 Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 drones would have a green light to strike. Writing: Kyiv's long discussion and then an announcement of a counter-offensive operation aimed at Kherson Oblast drew substantial Russian troops away from the sectors on which Ukrainian forces have conducted decisive attacks in the past several days,[102], On 29 August, Zelenskyy announced the start of a full-scale counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied territory in the south, a claim that was corroborated by the Ukrainian parliament as well as Operational Command South. [58], There were numerous reports of partisan warfare within the occupied territories. I will not be surprised if it turns out that Ukrainian scout groups infiltrate the Russian-held zone to probe their defenses and see how deep it is possible to go, said Igal Levin, a Ukraine-born Israeli defense expert. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms. [90] In the next months, Ukrainian forces launched a series of limited ground attacks as well as several air and rocket attacks on Russian targets in southern Ukraine. ", A view shows the damaged Antonivskyi bridge in the aftermath of shelling, in Kherson, Ukraine, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released July 27, 2022. (Ukrinform/via REUTERS ). He suggested that by encouraging the Russians to bring soldiers to the western side of the Dneiper and then attacking the bridges, it was creating a trap for them. Russias military would also undoubtedly try to counterattack in the air and on the ground. Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. But high hopes that the city's return to Ukrainian control would bring normalcy have not materialized. [112][113][114], From 1 to 2 September, Russian milbloggers reported further Ukrainian advances, but also a series of successful Russian counter-attacks. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! In the past week, Ukrainian forces targeted Russian ground lines of communication, ammunition depots and military and transportation assets. [128][129] On the same day, the Russia-backed deputy head of the Kherson Region posted a video from the outskirts of the settlement in which he claimed that Ukrainian troops have not been able to enter it. It was the first major city, and the only . Ukraine has made it clear that it intends to take back Kherson, a Russian-occupied city in the south, as its counter-offensive gains momentum. Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Oleksiy Arestovych cautioned that the offensive was going to be a "slow operation to grind the enemy", not a quick and massive campaign. He has also had deployments to Palestine and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an embedded reporter with UN peacekeeping forces. On 9 December, some Ukrainian officials, such as presidential advisor Oleksii Arestovych and Lieutenant Colonel Konstiantyn Mashovets, as well as some unofficial Russian sources, claimed that Russian forces, specifically the 80th Arctic Motor Rifle Brigade, 25th Spetsnaz Regiment, and 4th BARS Special Combat Army Reserve, had re-occupied the island following a successful amphibious operation. The aftertaste is that all of this is but a remake of Russias retreat from northern Ukraine in April, he said. [140] The same day, Russian officers were reported as withdrawing from Snihurivka while some troops remained. Russian milbloggers claimed that battles were ongoing at Myrne[uk], Soldatske and Snihurivka, Ukraine had retaken Ternovi Pody, but been repelled at Pravdyne and Oleksandrivka. [158] On the same day, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated that Ukrainian forces have taken back 41 settlements in the Kherson direction since 1 October. Kyiv has declared its intentions to liberate the only regional capital captured by Russia following theFeb. 24 full-scale invasion. One way or another, according to Ukraines leadership, its bound to happen. Following the launch of the Kherson counteroffensive in Southern Ukraine in late August, Ukrainian forces began a second counteroffensive in early September in Kharkiv Oblast, in Eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities released a photo showing the raising of the Ukrainian flag in Vysokopillia by Ukrainian forces. The recapture of the only regional capital Russia had seized during its invasion was the biggest triumph of Ukraine's counter-offensive in the second half of last year, lifting hopes across the country and bringing displaced residents flooding home. On July 12, social media users and local media in occupied Melitopol posted videos showing an endless Russian military column moving towards Kherson. Western-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) appear to have played an important role in maximising the effect of the Kharkiv offensive. [160][161][162] The troops were met by crowds chanting "Slava Ukraini!" The Russian forces originally aimed towards capturing the major port city of Odesa from the southeast, but were forced back following their defeat at the Battle of Voznesensk, and ultimately only succeeded in occupying a small part of Mykolaiv Oblast, most notably Snihurivka. [126], On 12 September, President Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces have retaken a total of 6,000 sq km from Russia, in the both the south and the east. Ukraine says it has recaptured 8,000 square kilometres (3,090 square miles) of territory from Russian forces this month. 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