Ukrainian forces have gained control of the Dnipro left bank’s floodplain in Kherson Oblast, forcing the Russians to build new defensive lines on hills farther from the river, former Aidar Battalion company commander Yevhen Dykyi told Radio NV.

“In fact, the Dnipro floodplain is effectively under Ukrainian control. And now the Russians are trying to prevent any further steps. They have essentially ceded the floodplain to us, but they are trying to dig in and fortify themselves where the terrain begins to rise. Although it’s not accurate to call them hills, there is a slight elevation compared to the mostly flat terrain. At the moment, they are trying to dig in, fortify themselves, and establish some sort of defensive line along this elevation,” Dykyi said, noting that the Russians have nothing similar to the so-called Surovikin defensive line

  • naturalgasbad@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    5
    arrow-down
    5
    ·
    7 months ago

    The source is the current director of the National Antarctic Science Center. Dr. Dykyi has not been in service since 2015, when the Aidar Battalion was dispanded following reports (from Amnesty International) of war crimes committed in Donbas.

    • Unpigged@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      edit-2
      7 months ago

      Ah yes, famously neutral reports of amnesty international. One of them said that by defending Ukraine endangers russian soldiers and needs to stop. Another claimed that it’s UAF endangering civilians, and not russkies who were deliberately striking civilians targets.

      Can you name the war crimes you mentioned without googling?

      • naturalgasbad@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        7 months ago

        IIRC they abducted civilians and stole their money/possessions and executed accidentally killed civilians who fought back too hard.