In a significant development in Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces, Ukraine has announced that it has pushed Russian troops back three to eight kilometers from the banks of the Dnipro river. This breakthrough, if confirmed, marks a pivotal moment for Ukraine's efforts to reclaim its occupied territories.

The Ukrainian and Russian forces have been stationed on opposite sides of the river in Kherson since Russia withdrew from the region's western part last year. However, over the past few weeks, Ukraine reported crossing the river and gaining a foothold on several bridgeheads on the eastern bank, which remains under Russian control. Armored vehicles were reportedly used to cross the river for the first time.

Ukrainian army spokeswoman Natalia Gumenyuk stated that the distance pushed back varied from three to eight kilometers, depending on the specific geography and landscape design of the left bank. According to her, there are still "several tens of thousands" of Russian troops in the area, engaging in ongoing artillery fire.

Initially, Russia's defense ministry denied Ukraine's claims of progress, but the Moscow-installed head of occupied Kherson, Vladimir Saldo, admitted the presence of small groups of Ukrainian soldiers along the eastern bank. He vowed a strong response with "fiery hell" of artillery, Reuters reported.

This latest advancement in Ukraine's counteroffensive is deemed crucial, as it significantly reduces the mobility and capability of the Russian occupiers, according to military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko. However, despite the positive development along the banks of the Dnipro, Ukrainian soldiers anticipate challenges in maintaining momentum against well-fortified Russian defenses.

The troops on the ground have revealed that they are vastly outnumbered, with reports suggesting a ratio of 10 to 1. Ukrainian soldiers have resorted to staying in trenches and basements, seeking refuge from the relentless Russian strikes. Franz-Stefan Gady, a military analyst who recently visited the front lines in Ukraine, cautioned about the realistic achievable goals in this conflict, as the Ukrainian soldiers face a formidable opponent.

Ukraine's long-awaited counteroffensive, which began in June, is yet to make significant breakthroughs. However, the recent gains along the banks of the Dnipro river indicate a potential turning point in the conflict, as Ukraine continues its efforts to regain control of its occupied territories.

As the fighting persists and tensions escalate in the region, the international community closely watches the developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.