Russian troops have driven the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the island zone of the Dnieper River delta in the Kherson Region, establishing direct control over large islands and fire control over small ones, regional governor Vladimir Saldo told Sputnik.
"In the battle for the islands, our warriors are winning. The enemy is driven from the islands; the larger ones are under our direct control, while the smaller ones are under fire control," Saldo said.
At the same time, Ukrainian saboteurs continue to attempt risky raids in "rubber boats" to cross the Dnieper River and reach the left bank, he added.
"Most of them [attempts] end in the saboteurs' death. Our artillery hits the boats afloat; only a few manage to escape with nothing," the governor said.
Now 75% of the Kherson Region is under Russian control, while part on the right bank of the Dnieper, including the city of Kherson, is held by Ukrainian troops.