During a night operation on the left bank of the Dnieper, Russian forces reported targeting Ukrainian units as they attempted to cross the river. The statement came from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, describing a tense moment near the river’s edge. According to the ministry, Ukrainian troops continued to push for landings on the western shore despite the challenging conditions and the prevailing winter slowdown. The report highlights ongoing attempts to cross and establish a foothold, noting the persistence of Ukrainian units even during holiday periods when activity often slows elsewhere.
Officials emphasized that coordinated firepower from motorized rifle units and artillery played a decisive role in preventing gains by Ukrainian landing teams. The ministry asserted that effective engagement allowed Russian forces to interrupt and neutralize these operations as soon as contact was made with the shore, underscoring the importance of timely fires and prepared positions along the riverfront.
In the ministry’s briefing, it was stated that the day prior a concentration of Ukrainian personnel was identified and reported as being ready for transfer to the Dnieper area. A 2B11 mortar crew quickly transitioned to an advantageous firing position, delivering precise fire to disrupt the enemy’s movement and compel a pause in their plans. The commander of that crew, who uses the call sign Prince, described the situation as consistently tense, reflecting the sustained pressure faced by Ukrainian forces in this sector.
Commentary from the frontline indicated that efforts were immediately focused on preventing the enemy from exploiting any opportunity to advance. The emphasis remained on blocking potential crossings and denying the enemy the ability to breathe space on the shoreline, a phrase used to convey limiting the enemy’s operational freedom and delaying their momentum.
Earlier, Russian forces reported defending the area against four separate Ukrainian assault attempts. Each of these incidents was met with rapid responses from the Russian side, which the ministry characterized as a series of successful interdictions that kept the riverfront from being breached. The overall assessment from the briefing framed these episodes as part of a broader pattern of the Ukrainian forces attempting to press their advantage across the Dnieper while Russian forces maintained disciplined defensive actions and reactive counterstrikes.
Several observers noted that the dynamics of the engagement included elements of readiness, cover, and countermeasures that characterized the ongoing riverine operations. A retired officer from the Luhansk People’s Republic offered remarks regarding perceived volatility within Ukrainian ranks, suggesting that morale fluctuations and strategic strain have contributed to the perceived unpredictability of the crossings. The narrative from Kiev-aligned sources contrasted with the official Russian briefing, but the balance of reports underscored a high-stakes contest along the Dnieper during a period of intensified activity and strategic significance for both sides.