Ukrainian forces in the Kherson region significantly expanded their bridgehead on the islands east of the Dnipro’s main bed. More information confirms the scale of damage by the Ukrainian strike on Russian airfields in Crimea. Meanwhile, locals in Odesa have been cleaning up streets and Transfiguration Catherdral after the Russian attack.
After weeks of futile counterattacks, Russian forces accumulated losses and had to stop their offensive efforts against Ukrainian positions on the islands. Ukrainian fighters claimed that they eliminated a lot of commanders of the forces engaged in these operations. Some less prominent Russian sources published a short audio interview with a Russian soldier, where this soldier confirmed that his platoon, company, and battalion commanders died in strikes on command posts. The situation was so bad that all Russian analysts positively responded to the news about the retreat. The analysts concluded that this was a sound decision, as the Ukrainian bridgehead was too far from the main Russian base, and Russians did not have many options for how to attack it, which is why all their attacks were predictable and ended up disastrously.
Nonetheless, they also noted that such developments facilitate further development of the bridgehead and that Ukrainians will definitely try to get close to Oleshky, establish fire control over the outer edge and drive Russian forces from the outskirts, and then possibly take Oleshky.
So far, Russians started bombing not only the area immediately around the bridge but also houses several km west, which indicates the expansion of the Ukrainian bridgehead. In fact, it’s been confirmed that Ukrainian forces have already crossed the small river and established control over the houses on the next island. Russian sources claimed that Ukrainians prepared an ambush and destroyed the Russian unit that was protecting this area.
Recently released footage shows how Ukrainian drone operators are hunting down Russian patrols around Oleshky. The patrol was liquidated precisely in the area of the most recent Ukrainian advances, which indicates that Ukrainians are planning to establish a bridgehead on the same side of the river as Oleshky, which is already on the mainland.
Ukrainians also conducted a huge strike on the house of occupation authorities in Oleshky. The building was completely wiped out, which serves as a good signal about the intentions. This is not the first strike on Oleshky, Ukrainians destroyed multiple command posts on the outskirts of the town. Russian sources reported that the intensity of these strikes is increasing every day, and at some point, the situation with communication will become critical.
Also, more information became available about the previous Ukrainian strike on the Crimean airfield. Recently released satellite footage shows two burning hangars. Even though the airfield was not used by aviation, it still served as a military base. Because it is located just 2.5 km from the nearest train station, Russians accumulated there a lot of ammunition, setting perfect conditions for the strike. This is already the second ammunition depot that the Russians lost in Crimea, and it looks like it is not going to be the last one.
Huge explosions in the center of Crimea, Russian occupiers evacuate people within 5 km
Russian forces responded to these developments by launching yet another strike on Odesa. Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russians launched in total 19 cruise missiles of various types, including Onyx, Iskander, Kaliber, and Kh-22. Almost all Kaliber and Iskander missiles were shot down, while all Onyx and Kh-22 missiles reached their targets. 4 missiles hit harbors, while 6 missiles hit residential areas. In the aftermath of the strike, at least 6 residential buildings were hit or damaged, and also 2 architectural monuments and the Transfiguration Cathedral, which resulted in dozens of casualties among civilians, including children.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that they struck military bases where Ukrainians were preparing terrorist acts against the Russian Federation.
The Transfiguration Cathedral is the biggest cathedral in Odesa and obviously a sacred temple for everyone. Unfortunately, it sustained tremendous damage. Early in the morning, the locals showed up at the cathedral and started cleaning everything up: both inside and outside. Everyone worked very organized, rapidly eliminating the aftermath of the strike.
In our daily frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
