The Ukrainians now were trying to push back Russian army units as far as possible in order to make life easier for the (western) bank of the Kherson region, so that they get shelled less, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Ukraines Southern Operational Command, said.

In response, the Russian military used tactical aviation, including Iranian-made Shahed exploding drones, to try to pin down Ukraines troops, Humeniuk said.

The wide river is a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront. Since withdrawing from the city of Kherson and retreating across the Dnieper a year ago, Moscows forces have regularly shelled communities on the Ukrainian-held side of the river to prevent Kyivs soldiers from advancing toward Russia-annexed Crimea.

Elsewhere, air defenses shot down 29 out of 38 Shahed drones launched against Ukraine, military officials reported. One of the drones that got through struck an energy infrastructure facility in the southern Odesa region, leaving 2,000 homes without power.

In the capital, hundreds of people gathered to oppose corruption and to demand the reallocation of public funds to the armed forces. The demonstration was the 10th in a series of protests in Kyiv amid anger over municipal projects.

On Saturday, protesters held Ukrainian flags and banners bearing slogans such as We need drones not stadiums.

Ive organized demonstrations in more than 100 cities protesting against corruption in Ukraine and for more money, which should go to the army, Maria Barbash, an activist with the organization Money for the Armed Forces, said. The first priority of our budget -- local budgets and the central budget -- should be the army.