**Russian Troops Sabotage Boats to Avoid Dnipro Crossing, Ukrainian Partisans Claim**
Ukrainian resistance group Atesh has claimed that Russian soldiers are increasingly sabotaging their own boats and equipment to avoid having to cross the Dnipro River.
According to Atesh’s Telegram channel, Russian soldiers have been deliberately breaking engines, puncturing rubber boats, and even transmitting coordinates about the location of boat bases and fuel supplies to Ukrainian Defense Forces. This is reportedly to avoid being sent to storm islands in the Dnipro delta.
The Dnipro delta lies at the river’s mouth in Kherson Oblast, with the water body dividing the region between Ukraine-held territories and Russian-occupied areas. Russian forces have been shelling the city of Kherson and surrounding villages, killing civilians.
**Ukrainian Resistance Grows**
This comes as Russian forces have amassed some 300 boats to cross the Dnipro and take strategically important islands on the river. Ukrainian partisans claim that soldiers are trying to avoid being sent to these areas, which would put them in harm’s way.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have been preparing for a possible Russian crossing of the Dnipro River. Expert analysis suggests that Russia is sending small units to storm the Dnipro islands and force Ukrainian defenders to use more shells, straining Ukraine’s resources.
**Ukrainian Casualties Rise**
Regional authorities reported at least three civilians killed and 14 injured over the past day due to Russian attacks across Ukraine. The number of casualties includes 1,350 Russians who suffered losses just over the past day.
**Global Developments**
In other news, Chinese manufacturers have started limiting sales of vital drone components to U.S. and European customers. Russia has proposed relocating its forces to Turkish-controlled areas of Syria before transporting them to Russia by air. A Russian court sentenced a local resident to 15 years in prison for allegedly transmitting information about Russian military equipment to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
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