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Initially planned for the summer of 2023, the assault was delayed due to the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, which caused flooding along the Dnipro. Opinions diverged on whether this flooding offered a tactical advantage or hampered Ukrainian forces' ability to navigate the terrain.
Objectives of the Assault
Ukrainian commanders articulated a range of objectives. The primary goal was advancing towards Crimea, leveraging fresh terrain to draw Russian forces away from areas like Zaporizhzhia. This ambitious plan aimed at opening a new front to spread Russian troops thin, potentially altering the dynamics of various ongoing battles.