KYIV, Ukraine -- In a significant development in the ongoing conflict, Ukraine's military announced on Friday that its troops had secured multiple bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region. This marks a small but potentially significant strategic advance for Ukraine in a war that has been largely at a standstill.

The Marine Infantry Command's claims are the first official confirmation from the Ukrainian military regarding advances across the Dnieper River, one of Russia's most significant barriers. Earlier this week, Andriy Yermak, the head of the president's office, confirmed Ukraine's establishment of a foothold on the eastern side of the river.

The Dnieper River serves as a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront, and Russian forces have utilized it since their withdrawal from the area around Kherson in November 2022 to prevent Ukrainian troops from advancing closer to Russian-annexed Crimea.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' general staff reported on Friday that troops are specifically aiming to push Russian forces away from the Dnieper to halt the shelling that has been consistently hitting civilian areas on the Ukrainian-held west bank.

Western officials, speaking on conditions of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, have stated that Ukraine has deployed portions of three brigades across the river. These officials further anticipate that Ukraine will make incremental gains, as Russian forces have been unable to push them back from their established positions.

It remains unclear how long it took Ukraine to establish its positions across the Dnieper River, why it chose to announce these advances now, and whether these gains have provided a more stable foothold.

Although these gains on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River could potentially open up a path towards Crimea, they are considered relatively small in the overall ground war. Intelligence officials have noted that the conflict has reached a stalemate, with neither side currently capable of mounting decisive offensive operations in the foreseeable future.

As Ukraine perseveres on the battlefield, it is also grappling with diplomatic challenges in securing support from allies. International attention has largely shifted towards the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, diverting focus from Ukraine's situation. The recent U.S. funding package for Ukraine did not include additional aid, and the European Union has been unable to deliver promised munitions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his frustration during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, stating that the divided attention on multiple global conflicts has not helped Ukraine's cause. However, Cameron's visit to Kyiv, despite lacking additional military funds, aimed to demonstrate the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian marines claim to have inflicted significant damage on Russian forces during their operations to establish their position on the eastern riverbank. They report having killed over 1,200 Russian soldiers, wounded over 2,200, and destroyed numerous ammunition stores, tanks, armored combat vehicles, artillery systems, watercraft, and other vehicles. The number of Ukrainian casualties, however, was not disclosed.

In response to these reports, Russian defense ministry spokesman Gen. Igor Konashenkov did not directly address Ukraine's crossing of the Dnieper River. Instead, he claimed that Russian troops had killed or wounded 460 Ukrainians and destroyed two tanks and 17 vehicles either on the Ukrainian-held west bank or during attempted landings on river islands.

President Zelenskyy shared photos on social media of Ukrainian troops reaching the eastern side of the river in small motor boats, further highlighting their advances.

While news of Ukraine's progress across the river earlier this week was met with Moscow-appointed governor Vladimir Saldo's claims of Ukrainian forces facing difficult fighting and suffering significant losses, Ukraine's Marine Corps remains resolute in its efforts to maintain control of the east bank. Further developments and the long-term implications of these advances remain to be seen.