Crossing the Dnieper River on the way to Crimea

The foothold that the UA holds on the left bank of the Dnieper might open up a possibility to make a bold move and attack positions, that would immediately threaten Russian bases in Crimea.

Ukraine's latest military maneuver. Ukrainian forces are making waves, quite literally, as they cross the Dnieper River in the Kherson region. It's a significant moment in their ongoing counteroffensive, which kicked off a few months ago.

What’s the Big Deal About Crossing the Dnieper?

Now, crossing a river might not sound like headline news, but in this context, it’s huge. This move isn't just about gaining territory; it's about setting the stage for potentially bigger things – think Crimea, the region annexed by Russia in 2014. Ukraine’s push across the river signals a strategic shift that could reshape the region's dynamics.

The Strategy Behind the Move

Diving into the strategy, as military expert Tomas Theiner points out, this is a classic case of geography meets logistics. The Ukrainians have their eyes on a prize: Dzhankoi. It's a major hub in Crimea that, if controlled by Ukraine, could choke off Crimea’s supply lines from Russia. And with some serious artillery power like the Himars, Ukraine isn’t just thinking big; they're planning strategically.

Challenges on the Horizon

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. The success of this operation hinges on a few critical factors. Keeping the pontoon bridges intact over the Dnieper is one, and gearing up for a solid push forward is another. Air support is a big piece of this puzzle – and that’s where the much-discussed F16s come in, however they’re not on the battlefield yet.

Thomas C. Theiner spoke on this on #RockRachon: