Ukraine’s Marines Cross the Dnipro—Storm Russian Positions and Gain Ground

Ukrainian Marines have established positions on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region and are advancing further into Russian-held territory across several sectors, according to a senior Ukrainian military officer.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Crimea.Realities on November 7, Colonel Alim Kerimov, chief of staff of Ukraine’s 34th Separate Marine Brigade, confirmed that Ukrainian forces are maintaining multiple positions on the eastern bank while conducting assaults against Russian defensive positions.

Kerimov said Ukrainian Marines had successfully landed in a settlement on the occupied side of the river, although he declined to identify its location or disclose how far the troops had advanced for operational security reasons.

The operations are taking place along several axes, including islands in the Dnipro River and settlements on its eastern bank. Ukrainian units are using a phased approach, rotating personnel into established positions, securing newly captured ground, and advancing toward additional Russian-held locations.

According to Kerimov, the Marines are simultaneously defending existing positions and carrying out offensive operations, allowing Ukrainian forces to gradually expand their presence on the eastern bank.

The developments come as Russian forces have significantly reduced conventional ground assaults in the southern Dnipro sector, shifting toward artillery, aviation, and drone strikes. Kerimov described the change as a transition from conventional offensive operations to what he called a hybrid offensive.

He said Russian forces conducted as many as 700 assault operations in the brigade’s area of responsibility in 2025, compared with approximately 150–200 annually at the current pace.

Russian boat operations have also declined. Ukrainian forces recorded approximately 200 Russian boat movements in 2025, compared with around 22 during the first six months of 2026.

At the same time, Russian drone activity has intensified. Ukraine’s 30th Marine Corps recorded more than 26,000 drone strikes in August 2026 alone, the highest monthly figure reported by the formation.

Kerimov attributed the increase in Russian strikes against civilian areas, including the city of Kherson, to Moscow’s inability to achieve its objectives through ground offensives. The eastern bank of the Dnipro remains under Russian occupation, while Ukrainian forces continue operating across the river and its surrounding island network.

Earlier, on October 27, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted three major offensive operations carried out in 2026, including the liberation of more than 800 square kilometers on the Oleksandrivka axis, advances of over 200 square kilometers during Operation Vivaldi, and a 15-kilometer underground operation behind Russian lines near Kupiansk.

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