Ukrainian Forces Repel Russian Desant Attempt Near Antonivskyi Bridge Amid Heavy Shelling in Kherson

Russian assault groups attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses near the Antonivskyi Bridge from the direction of Oleshky, Kherson region. The attack, prepared for by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, was part of intensified Russian sabotage and reconnaissance activity in the region, confirmed by the Kherson Regional Military Administration.

Overnight on December 20, Russian forces launched heavy artillery strikes on Kherson and its outskirts, targeting residential areas and critical infrastructure, with the attacks extending to riverside settlements including Chornobaivka, Zelenivka, and Inzhenerne.

According to several monitoring Telegram channels, the strikes were intended to cover advancing assault groups attempting to reach the Antonivskyi Bridge.

Shelling reportedly originated from forested areas, with indiscriminate fire causing fires in residential buildings.

“Kherson is under heavy artillery fire. They are striking indiscriminately, without correction. There are initial reports of fires in residential buildings. All of this shelling is connected to the occupiers’ attempt to seize the area around the Antonivskyi Bridge,” wrote the Telegram channel ‘Mykolaivskyi Vanek.’

“Two assault groups didn’t make it—they never even reached the river. The battle ended before it truly began. The situation remains stable for now,” he noted.

“The forward groups were destroyed, but it is too early to draw definitive conclusions as the situation remains dynamic. More attempts are expected,” reported Serhii Sternenko, Ukrainian activist and drone fundraiser.

As a result of the attack, a 55-year-old woman hospitalized due to mine-blast trauma, a closed head injury, and multiple shrapnel wounds. Later reports confirmed a 60-year-old man’s death from injuries sustained during an artillery strike on a building he was in.

“Residential areas, critical, and social infrastructure are under fire. Unfortunately, there are civilian casualties. Enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups tried to advance toward Kherson but were immediately detected and neutralized by our defenders. Medics, rescuers, law enforcement, and utility services are working on-site,” stated the head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin.

Previously on December 20, Russian forces launched a coordinated missile attack on Kyiv, likely using ballistic missiles, according to a report by the Kyiv City Administration. The attack caused debris to fall across 3 districts of the capital, leaving 1 person dead and 11 others injured, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed.