Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces along the banks of the Dnipro river has yielded a significant breakthrough, as Ukrainian troops claim to have pushed Russian forces back three to eight kilometers, or approximately 3 to 5 miles. This marks a rare success in Ukraine's efforts to reclaim Russian-occupied territory, although maintaining momentum may prove challenging.

The latest development came after weeks of intense fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces positioned on opposite sides of the Dnipro river in Kherson. Ukraine, having crossed the river and gained a foothold on several bridgeheads on the eastern bank, achieved a major victory by pushing Russian forces back from the strategic river.

Ukrainian army spokeswoman, Natalia Gumenyuk, stated on Ukrainian television that the pushing back of Russian forces varied between three to eight kilometers, depending on the specifics of the geography and landscape design of the left bank. However, despite the gains, fighting is ongoing, with tens of thousands of Russian troops still in the area, firing artillery.

Russia's defense ministry initially denied Ukraine's claims of success, but Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-installed head of occupied Kherson, reluctantly acknowledged the presence of small groups of Ukrainian soldiers along the eastern bank. He vowed to respond with a "fiery hell" of artillery, escalating tensions in the region.

Experts suggest that Ukraine's advancement on the eastern bank poses a significant challenge to the mobility and capability of Russian occupiers. However, the Ukrainian troops admit that they are outnumbered 10 to one and are currently taking cover in trenches and basements to avoid Russian strikes.

While Ukraine's progress along the Dnipro river is undoubtedly positive, military analysts caution that sustaining offensive operations and steady resupply of forces remain difficult due to the challenging terrain. Franz-Stefan Gady, a military analyst who recently visited the front lines, emphasized the need for a realistic assessment of the situation and the challenges that lie ahead.

Ukraine's counteroffensive, which commenced in June, has struggled to achieve significant breakthroughs. The recent success along the Dnipro river represents a notable turning point, but the battle against formidable Russian defenses will undoubtedly test Ukraine's ability to maintain momentum and secure further gains in their campaign to reclaim occupied territories.