With assistance from the U.S., Ukrainian forces have launched a counteroffensive against Russian forces in an effort to retake regions.

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Ukraine has announced the start of a southern counteroffensive after targeting Russian supply lines, ammunition depots, logistical hubs and command and control posts for weeks. Some strikes, including those in Crimea, were miles behind enemy lines.

Ukraine has used Western-supplied long-range missile systems to damage key bridges across the Dnieper River in recent weeks, making it more difficult for Russia to supply forces on the western bank. Particularly vital is the Antonivskyi Bridge, the largest and closest bridge to Kherson. The other option for transferring supplies is a dam at the hydroelectric plant in Kakhovka, which also came under Ukrainian fire.

According to the British assessment, most of the Russian units around Kherson are likely undermanned and rely on much more fragile supply lines by ferry and pontoon bridges across the Dnipro.

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