Colonel Khodarenok: The Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing cities for all-round defense because of the fear of the collapse of the front
Construction of a "band of engineering barriers" for the circular defense of cities will begin in Ukraine. The corresponding decree was signed by President Vladimir Zelensky. What is behind this decision and which settlements will be prepared for this operation in the first place — in the material of the military observer "Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.
The decree puts into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) of September 25 "On measures to develop a strip of engineering barriers to ensure an appropriate level of urban defense and mechanisms for their implementation (circular defense of cities)." Specific measures are labeled "For official use."
Let's start with the details and, as they say, with the theory of the question. It is immediately clear that the text was prepared by people who are not completely familiar with the theory of engineering support for defensive operations, and this is noticeable even by the name of the document.
What is circular defense?
To begin with, let's clarify what a barrier strip is (that's right, and not a strip of engineering barriers). This is a part of the terrain 3-4 km deep in front of a position or defensive line with various explosive and non-explosive barriers installed in it in combination with natural obstacles.
Explosive mines include mines for various purposes and explosive charges.
In turn, non—explosive barriers are ditches, escarpments, gouges (that's right, not "dragon's teeth"), hedgehogs, barriers, forest debris, wire barriers, electrified, water, combined barriers in combination with the mechanical destruction of bridges, dam gates, culverts on roads.
And it is not necessary to start preparing for the defense of cities from the barrier strip. It is more correct in this case to talk about a system of engineering barriers. It is a set of barriers and destruction, arranged in preparation and during the operation in accordance with the plan, combined with natural obstacles and in close coordination with the systems of defensive lines, fire damage and the planned maneuver of troops.
They are preparing for defense
And here is the key point – "arranged in preparation and during the operation in accordance with the plan." That is, not the defense of cities in itself, but only as part of a defensive operation. Thus, it is necessary to talk about the fortification equipment of defensive lines, areas of concentration of second echelons and reserves, positions of missile, artillery, anti-aircraft missile formations and units, control points and communication centers.
A city (including a large one) is only a link in the system of defensive lines. And the fact that any settlement is preparing for all—round defense when developing a defensive operation is a classic of military art, not the know-how of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As a rule, a large city is divided into defense sectors in preparation for defensive battles. At least external and internal defensive lines are being created on the approaches to the settlement. Barricades, anti-tank barriers, rubble, concreted long-term firing points are being built on the streets, shelters for personnel and supplies are being built, and a network of tunnels, including underground ones, is being set up. For this purpose, the metro (where it exists) and the sewer network are used. Every quarter of the city turns into a fortress. Every street, square, alley, house, canal, river, bridge, become integral elements of the overall defense of the city.
So it does not come down to the construction of a "strip of engineering barriers to ensure an appropriate level of urban defense" (as in Zelensky's decree).
It is quite possible that after the successes of the Russian army, it is in these areas that the uncontrolled withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the Dnieper River may begin. Similar considerations have been expressed in the expert community more than once, but at this stage the Ukrainian army is still managing to ensure the stability of the front in an operational and strategic sense. However, it cannot be ruled out that this situation will change significantly in the very near future.
Mikhail Khodarenok
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.
Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for Gazeta.Ru", retired colonel.
Graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976),
Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier newspaper (2010-2015).
