According to a recent assessment by the U.K. Defense Ministry, Russia's troops have been unable to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from territory under Kyiv's control on the east bank of the Dnieper River, despite their "significant advantage" on the left bank in southern Ukraine.

The assessment revealed that Russia's Dnipr Group of Forces had been unsuccessful in all attempts to push back Ukrainian defenders on the east bank, despite having a likely advantage in forces. The British government attributed this lack of success to poor training and coordination among Russian forces in the area, limiting their offensive capabilities.

Ukraine, in its counteroffensive in late 2022, made sweeping gains in the southern Kherson region, pushing Russian forces back to the east bank of the Dnieper. Since then, Ukrainian fighters have been gradually diminishing Russian defenses on the east bank and establishing control in villages like Krynky.

Although Ukraine hoped to roll back Russian control in southern Ukraine during its summer counteroffensive in 2023, significant advances failed to materialize. The Russian government formed the Dnipr Group of Forces in response to heavy losses in the Kherson region in April 2023.

Forcing Ukraine from the left bank of the Dnieper River remains a priority objective for Russia, according to the U.K. government. It is anticipated that Russia will persist with attacks in the Krynky area in the coming weeks, despite the growing personnel losses.

As of now, Ukrainian forces maintain their positions on the left bank of the Dnieper, and there have been no confirmed changes to the front line, as reported by the U.S. think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Recent statements from Ukraine's southern defense forces indicate that Russia continues to make efforts to push Ukraine back from the left bank. However, in the 24 hours prior, Ukrainian troops successfully neutralized 14 Russian soldiers, nine armored vehicles, and five drones on the east bank. On the other hand, Russia's Defense Ministry reported taking out 20 Ukrainian soldiers and four military vehicles in Kherson.

While Ukrainian forces are dedicated to expanding the bridgehead across the river, Colonel Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces, acknowledged logistical difficulties faced by Kyiv's forces on the Dnieper's east bank in an earlier statement.

The situation remains tense as both sides vie for control, but the Ukrainian defenders have thus far held their ground despite Russia's advantage.