08 November 2026
(PHOTO: Screenshot from a video)
Ukrainian marines are holding their positions on the islands and the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, while also advancing deeper into the occupied territory. At the same time, Russian troops are constructing underground tunnels and intensifying their attacks on the civilian population.
Colonel Alim Kerimov, chief of staff of the 34th Separate Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, spoke about this in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s “Crimea.Realities” project.
According to him, Ukrainian units are operating on several fronts. They are consolidating their positions, conducting rotations, handing over sectors to other troops, and continuing their advance. Kerimov did not disclose the names of the settlements or specific distances.
At the same time, Russian forces are attempting to advance underground. According to the chief of staff, the occupiers are constructing tunnels and shelters, but Ukrainian forces destroy them once they are detected. He estimates the length of these underground passages to be approximately 50–150 meters.
According to Kerimov, in the Dnipro region, the Russian army has shifted from primarily assault operations to a tactic he calls a “hybrid offensive.” This involves the use of artillery, aviation, and FPV drones, particularly for attacks on the civilian population.
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The military official drew a comparison with the previous year: in 2025, Russian troops carried out up to 700 assault operations, whereas currently their number stands at approximately 150–200 per year. Last year, up to 200 sorties by Russian boats were recorded, compared to about 22 in the first half of this year.
Separately, Kerimov noted that in August, the 30th Marine Corps recorded more than 26,000 strikes by Russian drones in a single month. He attributes the increase in attacks on Kherson and settlements in the region to the Russian army’s failed attempts to advance in that direction.
According to the chief of staff of the 34th Brigade, due to the failure of its offensive operations, the Russian command is intensifying its terror campaign against the civilian population, using airstrikes, artillery fire, and drone strikes.
Андрій Колісніченко