Ukrainian forces are said to have advanced on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River into the partially liberated region of Kherson.

This is revealed by an analysis by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

– Russian military bloggers provided enough geodata and textual reports to confirm that Ukrainian forces established positions on the eastern side of the Dnipro in Kherson, writes ISW.

The advance indicates that Ukraine has taken up position in an area previously controlled by Russian soldiers.

– Everything points to a lack of Russian control over the area, writes ISW.

This is the first time that Ukrainian positions have been recorded in the West at this location, but the extent of this movement is very unclear.

It is by no means certain that what has just been discovered is a foretaste of the much-discussed offensive that Ukraine will launch in the spring.

Russian forces withdrew completely from Kherson and the west bank of the Dnipro last August after a Ukrainian advance.

The aim would have been to gather the forces on the other bank of the river to prevent the Ukrainians from taking over. This is where the Ukrainian positions are now supposed to have been discovered.

In the analysis, ISW writes that the development may indicate that Russian forces are withdrawing and are now concentrating on cities.

The Ukrainian defense is careful not to comment on the report.

– The hard work continues, says a spokeswoman and adds that the situation on the great Dnipro river is very complicated.

She said on Sunday that the situation in the region would benefit from less information noise and urged ISW experts to be patient.

(TV 2 / NTB)