New Ukraine positions near Kherson could signal spring offensive - report

Ukraine's military has set up positions on the eastern side of the Dnipro River near Kherson city, the Institute for the Study of War cites Russian military bloggers as saying.

Infiltrating the area could be a first step towards trying to dislodge Russian forces from positions they are using to shell and shoot at Kherson. The constant attacks have made it impossible for residents to return to normal life months after Ukrainian troops liberated the city from occupation.

Ukrainian military forays across the river could also mark the first tentative steps towards launching a long-awaited spring offensive to reclaim more territory.

"This is the first time ISW has observed reliable geolocated imagery of Ukrainian positions on the east bank along with multi-sourced Russian reports of an enduring Ukrainian presence there," the thinktank said in an update.

The Russian military bloggers said Ukrainian forces had established stable supply lines to their positions and "regularly conduct sorties in the area", the ISW said.

The reported positions were in marshy areas of islets and tributaries near the settlements of Oleshky and Dachi, the report said. Russia still holds those settlements.

A Ukrainian military spokesperson for the southern region declined to comment on reports that Ukrainian troops had achieved a foothold across the river.