Ukrainian forces claim bridgeheads across key Russian strategic barrier

Ukrainian marines sail along the Dnipro river at the frontline near Kherson (AP)

Ukraine’s troops have secured multiple bridgeheads on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region in fighting that the country’s marine corps described as having left nearly 3,500 Russians killed or wounded and dozens of ammunition depots, tanks, armoured vehicles and other weaponry destroyed.

The Marine Infantry Command’s claims were the first to come directly from the Ukrainian military about advances across one of Russia’s most significant strategic barriers.