Ukraine hopes to recover parts of the south of the country and points to the isolation of Russian forces

The Ukrainian army raised its hopes Thursday that parts of the south of the country could be retaken, stressing progress in isolating Russian forces.

 The Kyiv operation focuses on retaking the Kherson region, north of Crimea.

Russian forces captured the main city in the region, also called Kherson, days after the invasion began on February 24.

 British intelligence said Thursday in a report that Ukrainian forces, with the help of artillery supplied by the West, damaged at least three bridges over the Dnipro River that Russia depends on to transport supplies for its forces into the occupied territories.

 Kyiv has claimed that these forces are increasingly isolated from other Russian strongholds in Ukraine thanks to long-range missile attacks.

This makes the 49th Russian Army, stationed on the western bank of the Dnipro River, appear very weak, the report said.

 It is noteworthy that Kherson, the most politically important city under Russian control, is now also completely isolated from the rest of the occupied territories.

And the British Ministry of Defense stressed that "its loss would severely undermine Russia's attempts to portray the occupation as a success."

 Ukraine's General Staff reported that skirmishes were taking place in the wider Kherson region as both sides' forces and equipment were positioned ahead of a much larger potential battle.

 Kyiv added that Russia is escalating counterattacks along the Kherson border with the Dnepropetrovsk region.

 Referring to the destruction of bridges in Kherson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that everything would be reconstructed after regaining control of the region.

 "We will liberate our entire country through military and diplomatic tools and all other available means," he added in a video message.

 During the war, which is now in its sixth month, Zelensky said, Ukraine has so far lost control of about 20% of its territory.

He called for the provision of more heavy weapons from the West to stop the Russian attacks and liberate the occupied territories.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news