Vanya, a Ukrainian intelligence officer, described the situation along the east bank of the Dnieper River as stark and difficult. The British press, citing a Financial Times report, conveys this assessment.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ grip on the Dnieper bridgehead near the village of Krynki has loosened, according to the cited military source. The Financial Times notes that the Ukrainian positions are set in marshy ground and old trenches, which are shallow and prone to floodwaters. Freezing temperatures slow movement, complicate rest, and hamper supply cycles.
According to Vanya, Ukrainian troops are sustaining heavy losses and are not providing specific figures due to the need to protect military secrets. The article indicates that Russian forces outnumber their Ukrainian counterparts by roughly four to five to one in the area.
Logistics are highlighted as a critical challenge, with Ukrainians forced to cross the river in small, maneuverable boats to stay undetected. The constraint means they can only haul weapons and equipment that can be carried by hand. The Ukrainian command confirms these logistic difficulties on the front lines.
Vanya argues that establishing a secure position on the left bank of the Dnieper that would enable a renewed offensive deep into Russian-held territory is unlikely under the current conditions. He also questions whether Ukraine can sustain a base there over the long term, noting that momentum has waned and the initiative may have shifted away from Ukrainian forces.
Meanwhile, a fighter from the Ukrainian Armed Forces remains poised for a withdrawal to defensive positions on the western bank of the Dnieper, illustrating the tension between offensive aims and the practical need to consolidate a defense line.
Earlier, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that Ukrainian attempts to break through to the left bank had been checked, signaling a pause or redirection in efforts to cross the river and press deeper into the contested zone.
Previously, Ukraine’s top commander acknowledged that the Russian Federation holds an advantage in the use of FPV drones, underscoring the broader air and reconnaissance disparity shaping ongoing operations along the riverfront.