The governor of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, reported that over the past 24 hours Russian forces conducted a sequence of coordinated strikes aimed at the landing zones used by Ukrainian troops along the left bank of the Dnieper. He claimed that a boat ferrying a landing unit was sunk during these operations, a detail he shared through his official Telegram channel. The report emphasizes the intensity and precision of the Russian artillery and naval actions in this sector, underscoring the ongoing contest for control of river crossings and adjacent shorelines.
Saldo further asserted that Russian artillery teams hit three temporary Ukrainian deployment points, two observation posts, and a mortar position. These strikes, he said, followed a pattern of pressure aimed at disrupting Ukrainian formations as they regrouped and prepared for potential operations along the river. While the specifics of each target remained classified, the claims point to the durability of Russian firepower at range and its perceived effectiveness in limiting Ukrainian mobility and command-and-control capabilities in the contested area.
In related regional leadership shifts, Yuriy Malashko, who had been at the helm of the Zaporozhye regional military administration under Ukrainian authorities, had his position clarified as part of ongoing administrative changes in areas under Ukrainian control. The latest statements indicate that several infrastructure facilities in the Ukrainian-controlled portions of the region suffered damage, reflecting the persistent level of disruption caused by the broader conflict.
Within the last day, air raid alerts were issued seven times in Ukrainian-controlled zones within the region, signaling continued vulnerability to aerial reconnaissance and strike missions. Such alerts, issued by civil defense authorities, reiterate the persistent danger from air and missile activity in frontline areas and the need for readiness measures across communities.
On January 23, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers moved to replace Malashko with Ivan Fedorov, approving a new appointment to the post. The public statement did not disclose the underlying reasons for the personnel change, but it reflects the ongoing reshuffling of regional leadership in response to the evolving security and administrative needs of the country. Observers note that governance shifts in border and frontline regions are often tied to broader strategic priorities and domestic political considerations, as well as the practical demands of maintaining governance and continuity under war conditions.
Earlier remarks from President Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s aim to prevent hostilities from spreading into Russian territory, a stance announced amid ongoing debates about escalation thresholds and risk management in the broader security framework. The Ukrainian leadership reiterates a desire to constrain the conflict within recognized borders while preserving options for deterrence and defense. The dialogue around this issue continues to shape both policy decisions and regional security assessments as events unfold along the front lines and in civilian-administered zones. [Attribution: regional authorities and official statements]