The Battle for the Dnipro River: A CNN Exclusive Report
Amidst relentless Russian bombardment, Serhiy Ostapenko courageously seeks refuge in his truck, determined to survive the fight for the Dnipro River in Ukraine's ongoing battle for freedom
Seeking cover under the trees in his pickup truck, Serhiy Ostapenko listened to the booming sound of Russian bombardment as it echoed through the night. "The enemy never stops shelling us. I can't recall the last time it was quiet for more than an hour," remarked the 32-year-old Ukrainian drone pilot, situated on the right bank of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, which has become one of the latest battlegrounds in an enduring war now approaching its second winter.
Ostapenko serves as a member of the "Sons of Thunder" drone unit, which is part of Ukraine's strategy to cross the Dnipro River, push back Russian forces, and establish a lasting presence on the left bank. Earlier this month, Ukraine announced that it had "gained a foothold" on the bank, marking a potentially significant advancement in what had previously been a lackluster counteroffensive.
A Ukrainian serviceman stands guard next to the Dnipro River, in an undisclosed location in the Kherson region, on November 6, 2023.
Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty Images
During CNN's exclusive access with Ostapenko, his nighttime mission was abruptly canceled after his unit's position on the right bank was identified by the Russians, forcing them to seek shelter.
"That's another one - I think it was a rocket," he told CNN as another explosion echoed in the background, his face illuminated by a dim red light. "Every time I enter this zone... I say goodbye to my life, because I realize that it could end at any moment, either by a rocket or a shell. You get used to it, but it's still unpleasant."
Advancing on the Dnipro
The 2,200Â kilometer (1,400Â mile) long Dnipro is Europes fourth longest river, flowing from Russia, through Belarus and Ukraine to the Black Sea.
The river winds through the marshlands of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, where last November, Russian troops were compelled to retreat after being ousted from Kherson city by Ukrainian fighters.
The euphoric victory of liberating the city, following eight months of brutal occupation, marked a pivotal moment in Ukraine's war effort. However, the year since has offered little respite, as Kherson city and its surrounding region continue to endure relentless bombardment from Russian forces across the river.
The wide expanse of the Dnipro river acts as a natural defensive barrier for Russian troops, making it a prime target for Kyiv. Previous cross-river raids by Ukrainian forces have been staged, but securing a strong bridgehead across the river and pushing back the Russians could significantly improve the protection of Kherson city by increasing the distance between civilians and enemy artillery.
Drone footage of the Dnipro River obtained by CNN.
Obtained by CNN
Theoretically, an advance on the left bank could potentially provide Kyiv with an opportunity to expand further south towards occupied Crimea, the peninsula annexed illegally by Russia in 2014. Ukrainian armed forces have reported pushing Russian troops back 3 to 8 kilometers (2 to 5 miles) from the river.
Ostapenko reported, "Our forces are currently pushing forward on the opposite bank of the Dnipro. It is a challenging endeavor, requiring tremendous effort to not only achieve this advancement, but also to fortify our presence on the other side of the river."
Russian Defense Ministry
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He stated that they had successfully established "key connections" across the river, enabling Ukrainian forces to transport essential supplies such as weapons, ammunition, food, and fuel to their allies on the opposite bank. At the same time, his aerial reconnaissance unit is focused on providing protection for soldiers during river crossings, monitoring Russian troop activities, and concealing the whereabouts of Ukrainian troops and equipment.
It is risky work, facing a constant stream of dangerous drones and weaponry, including rockets, Grad rocket launchers, mortars, and tanks. However, Ostapenko sees the enemy's bombardment as a positive indication. It shows that they are causing the enemy significant difficulties and that the enemy is attempting to fight back as much as possible.
We have to survive
All the while, in Kherson city, the jubilation of last years liberation has faded for some residents as they focus on just getting through each day.
54-year-old Inna Balyoha commented, "The silence is even more frightening than the sound of shelling. You wait, constantly listening, lowering the radio volume so you can hear the sounds outside the window and react in time to the shelling."
Kherson resident Inna Balyoha stayed in the city through Russian occupation and liberation.
CNN
She is one of approximately 73,000 remaining residents in Kherson, a stark contrast to its original population of 300,000. Despite the challenges of caring for her 4-year-old grandson and frail 87-year-old mother, she made the decision to stay long ago.
However, living in the midst of war has had its impact. Her grandson's first word was "alarm," as he is now familiar with how to respond to an air raid siren and where to take cover. In the event of explosions near their home, he has a designated hiding place in the hallway.
The bombardment has become so severe that they have ceased taking brief strolls outside, opting to remain mostly indoors. "I'm currently taking every possible measure to ensure the child's safety," she stated. "Our primary goal is to endure. That was our main objective during the occupation, and it remains so now. We must survive."
Destroyed buildings are seen on an island in the middle of the Dnipro River in Kherson, Ukraine, on November 5, 2023.
Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Anadolu/Getty Images
The last month has seen a significant increase in attacks on Kherson, with one day reaching 700 incoming rounds, as reported by Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of Kherson regions military administration. Prokudin stated that Russian troops are targeting residential areas more frequently due to the advancements made by Ukrainian defenders, aiming to intimidate ordinary citizens near the Dnipro River. This retaliation is becoming more apparent as Ukrainian soldiers are now present on the left bank of the Kherson region, causing civilians in the area to feel the impact of this revenge.
He further stated that every Kherson resident serves as a symbol of bravery. Despite the challenging circumstances, Kherson remains untouched by Russian occupation, allowing people to freely communicate and move about. He emphasized the strength derived from being at home, as it gives people the resilience to persevere.
