Failed Russian River Crossings Limit Their Summer Offensive

In May 2022, Ukraine destroyed an entire Russian Battalion Tactical Group as they attempted to cross the Siverskyi Donets River. Although Russian forces have made some gains on the battlefield through new tactics and technologies, their ability to conduct river crossings has not improved. This ongoing shortcoming has become a critical vulnerability, effectively stalling several major operations in their current summer offensive. In particular, Russian forces have repeatedly failed in their recent attempts to cross the Dnipro and Oskil Rivers.

Russian Attempts to Cross the Dnipro River

The Dnipro River, especially where it flows into the Black Sea near Kherson, is a strategic centerpiece of this war. Early in the conflict, Russian forces controlled both banks of the river. In November 2022, Ukraine recaptured the western bank during its counteroffensive when Russian forces abandoned the city of Kherson. Ukraine then pushed across the river and established a bridgehead on the eastern bank in October 2023, but they subsequently withdrew from that position and established a strong defensive posture on the west bank.

Since then, Russian troops have repeatedly tried to reestablish their foothold along the western bank in an effort to retake Kherson and the surrounding areas. In March 2024, Russian reconnaissance units attempted a crossing near the Antonivskyi Bridge but were driven back under fire mid-river. Russia has also sought control over the islands at the river’s mouth, to provide them with forward staging areas for artillery, drones, and logistics. In December 2024, it launched a large assault involving 300 boats to capture several of these islands but were ultimately driven back by Ukrainian artillery and drone strikes.

As part of their current offensive, Russian forces have renewed their attempts to take Kherson and the western side of the Dnipro. In June, Ukraine’s 30th Marine Corps reported that Russian units have launched daily assaults on the islands and along the west bank, using support from drones and electronic warfare. However, Ukrainian forces continue to maintain fire control over the area, disrupting these landings with direct fire, coordinated artillery, and their own drone attacks. Without the ability to move significant numbers of troops or armored vehicles across the river, Russia will not be able make any meaningful gains along this axis.

Russian Attempts To Cross the Oskil River

In the Kharkiv Oblast, the Oskil River has also become a vital defensive line for Ukraine, particularly in protecting Kupiansk and nearby logistical corridors. For Russian forces, crossing the Oskil would provide access to key road networks and enable flanking operations toward Kupiansk from the north and east. As such, securing this river line is essential for any sustained Russian advance in the region.

Russian efforts to cross the Oskil began in late December 2024 with assaults near Dvorichna, Novomlynsk, and Topoli. All were repelled. In March 2025, Russia employed a new tactic, using drones to identify Ukrainian positions and coordinate fire in support of an infantry crossing. Despite this adaptation, the operation ultimately failed due to Ukrainian counter-drone systems and a lack of coordination between the crossing and the artillery support.

As part of its current summer offensive, Russia has escalated its efforts west of the Oskil, focusing on areas between Kupiansk and Dvorichna. By mid-June, geolocated footage confirmed that Russian troops had secured a bridgehead near Krasne Pershe. However, they were unsuccessful in using the bridgehead to raft heavy equipment across the river. In mid-July, Russian forces attempted to build a pontoon bridge to cross the Oskil, but that effort also failed. While some Russian soldiers have crossed the river, the inability to transport armored units has severely limited their offensive capacity and prevented any operational breakthrough in the northeast.

The Operational Challenges Blocking Russian River Crossings

Assaulting across a river, whether by bridge or raft, is among the most difficult military operations. Soldiers must cross exposed terrain with limited cover, often on platforms that restrict movement and offer little protection. The crossing site becomes a bottleneck, concentrating troops in vulnerable positions and limiting their ability to respond to enemy fire. Even once a force reaches the far bank, only a small number of soldiers are initially present to secure the bridgehead, often against entrenched defenders with superior firepower and elevation.

Russia has attempted to use technology to solve many of their battlefield challenges. However, there are no straightforward technological solution to alleviate this challenge. Robotic bridges or rafts still leave soldiers exposed to many of the same risks. The only reliable method for success is to move rapidly and with force, quickly transporting soldiers across the river and following up with an assault to secure key objectives on the far shore. This approach requires well-trained, cohesive units capable of executing complex maneuvers under fire.

At this point in the war, Russian units generally lack the collective training necessary to carry out such an operation. High casualty rates have forced Russia to rely heavily on replacement troops who often receive minimal training. These new soldiers typically lack experience and have had little opportunity to train with their assigned units, making coordinated operations such as river crossings extremely difficult to execute. Given current personnel shortages and Russia’s desire to sustain its offensive, the military is not in a position to pull units back for collective training exercises. This shortfall is evident across the front, where many Russian attacks are conducted at the small-unit level rather than as part of larger, coordinated operations.

As the war continues, the challenges of river crossings will increase for Russian forces. Ukraine’s growing fleet of surveillance and attack drones are playing a critical role in identifying concentrations of Russian troops preparing for river crossings and directing artillery and loitering munitions against them. Additionally, new drones are equipped with sensors that can see through smoke and other obscurations intended to conceal the crossings. Ukraine is also deploying unmanned surface vessels to patrol riverways and monitor Russian activity.

Although the Russia-Ukraine war is often associated with the rapid introduction of new technologies, traditional challenges like river crossings continue to shape the battlefield. Russia’s repeated failures in these operations have resulted in significant losses and now stand as a major barrier to the success of their summer offensive.