On the afternoon of May 27, Ukraine launched a southern counter-offensive against the Kherson Oblast in the direction of Davydiv Brid.[16] Ukranian formations, led by the 5th Tank Brigade, with the support of American-made M777 howitzers, crossed the Inhulets River during the night of 27/28 May around Davydiv Brid, 50 miles northeast of Kherson. The Russians retreated from Davydiv Brid to three towns a few miles southwest, whose defense the Ukrainian General Staff described as "unfavorable."[17] The following day new reports confirmed that Ukrainian forces carried out a successful limited counterattack, forcing Russian forces on the defensive.