BBC News:
Ukrainian troops have set up positions on the east bank of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson region, reports say.
The region is partially Russian-held and crossing the river could be significant in future offensives.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War says Russian military bloggers have posted “enough geolocated footage and text reports to confirm” the advance.
BBC Ukraine says its military sources have reported a “certain movement across [the] Dnipro” near Kherson city.
Ukraine’s military has not confirmed the movement, while Russia has denied the reports.
But if the reports that Ukraine has secured a bridgehead on the east bank are correct, it could be significant in helping Kyiv drive Russian troops back.
A Ukrainian advance in the area could, in the future, even cut the land corridor to Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
However, military experts say any Ukrainian troop movements in the bridgehead area – which is crisscrossed by floodplains, irrigation canals and other water obstacles – would be a tough task.
And Ukrainian advances would be further complicated by Russia’s significant advantage in the air.
Ukraine’s military has for some time publicly spoken about preparations for a major counter-offensive, without specifying where and when it could be launched.
Until now, all of the Kherson region on the east bank of the Dnipro has been under Russian control, with the wide river serving as a natural barrier.
The regional capital – sitting on the west bank – was liberated by Ukrainian forces last November.
