Russian Troops Not on Karantynnyi Island, Ukrainian Military Confirms

Ukrainian Military Debunks Russian Claims of Landing Operation in Kherson

Ukrainian military officials have categorically denied Russian claims about a landing operation on Karantynnyi Island in Kherson’s Korabelnyi district, describing the reports as propaganda and information manipulation.

Colonel Oleksandr Zavtonov, spokesperson for the 30th Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy, told Ukrinform that such an operation would be impossible given the geographical features of the area and the tight fire control maintained by Ukrainian marine units.

“This fake has nothing to do with reality,” Zavtonov stated, addressing the misinformation that has been circulating through Russian media channels since mid-October.

According to Zavtonov, Russian forces made four separate assault attempts on October 15, with three occurring near the Antonivka bridges on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River and one near Velykyi Vilkhovyi Island. These attacks, carried out by small groups of two to three soldiers, were repelled by Ukrainian forces without any changes to the front line.

The Ukrainian military spokesperson highlighted a growing pattern of Russian tactics in the Kherson sector, where assault attempts increasingly take place during adverse weather conditions including rain, fog, or strong winds. This operational approach appears designed more for creating information effects rather than achieving genuine military objectives.

“The goal of these actions is less about achieving military gains and more about creating an information effect – to simulate activity and offset the lack of real success,” Zavtonov explained. “That’s why Russian propaganda accompanies every local skirmish with loud but false claims about supposed ‘breakthroughs’ or ‘landings’.”

The reality on the ground tells a different story. Ukrainian forces report that recent Russian attempts resulted in nine occupiers killed and ten wounded. Additionally, Ukrainian units destroyed four enemy artillery pieces that had been used to shell Kherson city and surrounding settlements.

The Kherson region has been a focal point of the conflict since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian forces successfully liberated parts of the region west of the Dnipro River, including Kherson city itself, during a counteroffensive in autumn 2022. However, the eastern bank of the river remains under Russian occupation, creating a natural front line along the waterway.

Military analysts note that the Dnipro River presents a significant natural barrier, making large-scale crossing operations extremely difficult and costly in terms of personnel and equipment. This geographical reality adds credibility to the Ukrainian military’s dismissal of claims about landing operations.

The situation in Kherson reflects a broader pattern in the conflict where information operations often accompany military activities. Both sides recognize the importance of controlling the narrative, but Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged the public and international observers to verify information through official channels.

“Any reports of ‘landings’ in Kherson should be viewed solely as part of the enemy’s information and psychological operations,” Zavtonov concluded, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of claims emerging from the conflict zone.

The continued shelling of civilian areas in Kherson city, despite its liberation in 2022, remains a pressing humanitarian concern. Local authorities have implemented evacuation programs for the most vulnerable residents, though many civilians continue to live under the threat of daily artillery attacks from Russian positions across the river.