Credit: 40th Coast Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps
In a bid for freedom, a group of Russian soldiers retreats from a small boat and extinguishes a marshy island in the Dnipro Delta.
Wrapped in a makeshift cover made of reeds and mud, they lie down in the water, hoping that the smaller stations will hide their position back in Russian territory.
But high above, Ukrainian forces are watching their every move.
Soon, the buzz of a suicide drone cuts through the fog. It’s fast on the boat. Then it explodes.
Credit: 40th Coast Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps
This gruesome, brutal interlude captures the reality of life – and death – on the Dnipro River, where massive Russian forces are drawn and starved through the Kherson chain of islands to the south.
“This place is a place of death for Russia,” Colonel Olekendr Zavtotov of the Ukrainian Marine Corps told TheLegraph. “There’s nowhere to hide.”
These islands lie in the Dnipro Delta in the Sprawling Delta, a labyrinth of reed-covered marriages and narrow roads that form a natural buffer south of Kherson.
Since Ukrainian forces liberated the southern city in November 2022, the river has become a de facto front line.
Its right bank is occupied by Ukraine and the lower bank, the rest of the floodplain is occupied by Russian forces.
Constant drone flights, skirmishes and night attacks have turned the area into one of the most dangerous battles of the war, where progress is measured in meters and survival tends to decrease with time.
Ukrantian Intelligence reports that 5,100 Russians have died in the Delta since January of this year, with reports of soldiers starving to death due to lack of supplies.
“Prisoners who fought with us just took the islands and talked about not being able to bring food and drink water, and they have to drink water from the river,” said Colonel Zavtorov.
Footage from the Dnipro Delta captured the dramatic scene of dinghies and boats making bids for freedom in houses with overgrown temples, soldiers huddling in the grass as they struggled to escape.
In most cases, they were eliminated by Ukrainian drones.
Credit: 40th Coast Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps
“The enemy’s development is carried out by small groups that try to hide themselves – a tactic that could not be seen at the beginning of the war,” explained Oksana Kuzan, the head of the Department of Analysis at the Ukrainian Security Security Center.
“The remaining Russian military units on the islands in the Dnipro Delta are facing serious problems with food, ammunition and circulation.”
At the tactical level, islands offer small groups the opportunity to gather intelligence or establish radio networks that increase the vehicle’s unencumbered range.
Drone flights, skirmishes and night attacks have turned the area into one of the most dangerous battles of the war – Mstyslav Chernov / ap
The compact, well-hidden units can be used for recycling machine islands or forward viewing posts.
Controlling the water gives the military more influence over river crossings, less boat movement, and enemy routes.
But the islands lie low and are surrounded by open water, leaving troops visible and easy to direct from the air or across the river.
“It is a large body of water; there is no place to hide on the islands themselves, and the ground is very fast, and units passing through it will be in great danger,” said Colonel Zavtorov.
The islands lie low and are surrounded by open water, leaving troops visible and easy to maneuver
There are reports that Russian soldiers have been forced to buy motors and boats out of their own pockets to try to improve.
John Hardie, Deputy Director of Defense for the Islamic State of Russia, told the Telegraph that these conditions make the situation more volatile in Russia’s busy environment.
“Typically, at this stage in the war, moving into positions is one of the most dangerous things you can do, so exchanges are often limited,” he said.
Controlling the water gives the troops more influence over river crossings, less boat movement, and enemy recovery routes – MSTYSLav Chernov / ap
Some units in the 98th flying division, redeployed from the Kramatorsk command, are known to be operating on the islands.
Russian marines from the separate 61st Brigade were also reported to have arrived on the islands in April, and were deliberately kept in their positions for several months.
On Oct 15, the Russians tried to move their forces around the forces stationed on the islands of Kruhluy, Malyi, Bilogudyi, and Oleksiyivivskyi, and to organize logistical support and establish visible posts
But the attempt was a disaster.
“Ukrainian defenders hold the positions they have always occupied; no losses or gains are allowed,” said Colonel Zavtorov.
He noted that on the return journey they were being driven by Ukraine “night and day”.
Ms. Kuzan reported that in September, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the 40th separate coastal forces destroyed Russian groups that tried to reach the coast of the region.
Ukrainian forces carry out a general reclamation operation across the DNIPRO River and its banks – kostiantyn abroadOV / Libkos / Getty Images
The Russians pinned their hopes on stormy weather — rain, long fog, and fierce winds that blinded drones on both sides — to break through the Ukrainian lines.
“The enemy is trying to operate in small groups of infantry, counting on the effect of surprise. This is encouraged by rain, fog and strong wind, which shows the activity of drones on both sides. “But we are always watching.”
With the closing of the winter, Ukrainian officials warn before it can kill.
Commander Dmytro Pletchuk of the Ukrainian Navy told the telegraph that the Russians always try to control the islands, “regardless of the loss of their servicemen”.
“The islands, like other territory of Ukraine, are important. If the Russians allow the Russians to take some territory, they will definitely continue,” he said. “But those Russians who get a foothold on the islands don’t last long.”
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