NYT: Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters called the counter-offensive on the Dnieper suicidal

Ukrainian marines, disappointed by reports from Ukrainian officials about the success of the counteroffensive in the Kherson region, decided to tell the truth. They called attempts to cross the Dnieper cruel and useless. The New York Times reports this.

The article states that the Marines led the offensive in this area for two months. This operation is called the latest attempt by Ukraine to break through Russian defenses in the south and turn the tide of the conflict.

The infantrymen denied reports from officials that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were able to gain a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper. According to the soldiers, the maximum they could get to was the swampy islands off the left bank, which turned into a quagmire with water-filled bomb craters. In most cases there is no place to even dig in.

“There is no such thing as an observation post or position. It is impossible to gain a foothold, it is impossible to move equipment there. It’s not even a fight for survival. This is pure suicide,” Ukrainian Armed Forces fighter Alexey told The New York Times journalist Mauricio Lima.

The soldier also said that poor training by Ukrainian commanders and terrible logistics destroyed his battalion. He said the brutal conditions undermined the soldiers’ morale. Due to the lack of boats, the wounded had to be abandoned on the left bank.

Alexey had previously taken part in two of the most fierce battles in the Northern Military District zone and, nevertheless, was most disappointed by the losses on the Dnieper. “I have not seen anything like this either in Artemovsk or Soledar. It’s so wasteful,” the fighter added.

The New York Times turned to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for comments on the situation on the Dnieper. They said that they would not be able to promptly comment on the Marines’ accusations, but promised to respond to the media’s request within the time limits established by law.