(soldiers shouting) (guns firing)
- [Narrator] This video posted to social media
by a Ukrainian Battalion
claims to show their soldiers
crossing the Dnipro River by boat
into Russian occupied territory
in Southern Ukraine in January.
(soldiers shouting) (guns firing)
An example of the risky cross river operations
that Ukraine has stepped up in recent weeks.
The Dnipro River runs through Ukraine
from its northern border through Kherson
and into the Black Sea.
It has served as the southern front line
dividing Ukrainian and Russian forces
for the last several months.
For Ukraine, penetrating this part of the front line
is critical for two reasons.
First, it prevents Russia
from sending troops stationed there
to other areas of the front.
And second, regaining lands south of the river
would disrupt Russians supply lines
and bring Ukrainian troops to Crimea's doorstep.
(artillery shuffling)
(boots thudding) (engine purring)
Ukrainian raid teams have been challenging
Russians control here for months
according to analysts from Janes
and the Institute for the Study of War, or ISW.
(soldiers shouting)
An analyst from Janes says that during a typical raid
small boats likely cross the river
a few kilometers from their desired landing,
and then ride along the bank.
The unit would then disembark from the boat
at least a kilometer from any target
and infiltrate the rest of the way on foot.
(gun firing)
These attacks have increased in recent weeks.
By the beginning of August, Ukrainians launched a new effort
near the Russian occupied village of Kozachi Laheri.
Video posted on August 9th to Telegram
by a Ukrainian reconnaissance team
shows an artillery barrage on the outskirts of the village,
possibly the precursor to one of these raids.
Another clip posted that same day
appears to show a Russian combat vehicle
under fire nearby.
ISW's mapping of the front lines
shows Ukrainians claiming ground west of Kozachi Laheri
on August 11th and 12th.
Satellite images from August 15th
reveal traces of concentrated shelling
around Russian trenches west of the village.
The next day ISW's Frontline map
shows Russian forces pushed Ukrainian troops
back across the river.
(soldier shouting) (gun firing)
But analysts say these raids have already created
a headache for Moscow.
(soldiers speaking in foreign language)
And the threat of more raids in the future
means Russia may need to choose
between risk and control of part of its southern front
(rocket launcher swooshing)
or defending other major hotspots.
Russia has lost ground recently in the Zaphorizhzhia region.
Fighting continues around Bakhmut
and Russia is attempting an offensive in the Northeast.
By continuing to attack along the Dnipro River,
Ukrainians are stretching out Russian forces.
And tying up troops here means it's less likely
they can be sent to these other locations
where Russia needs them.
(dramatic music)
Russia's US Embassy didn't respond to requests for comment
and Ukrainian special forces declined to comment
on the attacks in Kozachi Laheri.
(engine rumbling)
In the months ahead, defending the Southern front
may become an even bigger task for the Russians.
(gun firing)
North of the now destroyed Kakhovka Dam,
the riverbed is drying up.
Analysts say this could allow the Ukrainian army
to send forces across on foot or in military vehicles,
putting even further pressure on Russia's
already thinly stretched forces.
(dramatic music)
(soldiers shouting) (guns firing)