The Ukrainian Marine Corps, which has been providing personnel to operations along the Dnieper’s left-bank sector near the village of Krynki, has reportedly suffered heavy losses in new equipment within a short period. Observers citing intelligence assessments describe a troubling pattern of destroyed and damaged naval craft as the Ukrainian forces pressed to maintain a bridgehead on the left bank. The figure circulating in the analyses is roughly 50 vessels either damaged or sunk over about six weeks after the 35th Ukrainian Marine Brigade established a foothold at Krynki. The assessment emphasizes the high tempo of attrition as Ukrainian crews attempted to sustain supply lines across the river while under pressure from Russian firepower.
In recent updates, Russian authorities indicated a calculated pullback in the Krynki area, aimed at reducing casualties among personnel while keeping critical positions on the left bank. The Ukrainian forces are described as continuing to hold a limited zone across the river, with local observers stressing the precarious nature of such gains given the river’s width and the ongoing artillery and aerial threats.
Analysts describe several incidents that illustrate the challenges of logistics and river crossing in this sector. One incident involved a Russian drone that carried explosives and targeted a tugboat, followed by a Ukrainian BMK-T vessel whose design is typically used to ferry equipment during bridge construction and ferry crossing projects. The occurrence has prompted debate among observers about whether these watercraft were being deployed for pontoon bridge projects or for routine resupply and casualty evacuation under the constraints of river operations. The prevailing view is that Ukrainian forces have relied on available watercraft to sustain the brigade’s supply lines rather than pursuing large-scale cross-river bridging solutions, given the risk environment.
As winter weather and continued fighting complicate movements, regional authorities have signaled ongoing difficulties on the right-bank side of the Dnieper. The broader situation remains fluid, with statements from regional governors noting mounting operational and logistical challenges for Ukrainian forces. In other developments, reports indicate a small group of Ukrainian fighters managed to move across the Dnieper and ultimately surrendered to opposing forces, highlighting the human costs and unpredictable dynamics of the frontline.