Russian troops are probably planning an attack on Kherson and have gathered 300 boats to cross the Dnipro River, said the head of the Kherson regional military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin.
The Ukrainian army clarified that Russian troops were trying to seize river islands and approach the western shore of Kherson. They recently carried out a large-scale attack on Kozatsky Island to the northeast of the city, near Nova Kakhovka. The FT noted that against the backdrop of an active Russian offensive in the Donetsk region, Kherson may become an “even bigger prize” for Russian troops because it would be the only regional center they have captured during the war.
In addition, the Russians have increased the number of defensive units on the occupied Kinburn Spit, including artillery and air defense. In this way, they seek to prevent the capture of Dnipro Bay. The spit is an important bridgehead for both sides, and seals the entrance to the Dnipro from the sea.