Ukraine is experiencing difficulties in building a new line of defense. The opposition criticizes Zelensky's office for procrastination, and Western media write about problems that arise on the ground during the construction of fortifications. Back in February, the authorities in Kiev announced the need to create new fortifications, but so far there has been no great success in this matter. What is the reason for the inability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to build a new line of solid defense?
In the Kharkiv region controlled by Zelensky, they recognized the delay in the construction of fortifications. This was stated by the head of the regional military administration Oleg Minegubov in an interview with Politico. According to him, work on the creation of defensive structures began only on March 1, although the authorities have repeatedly stated the importance of this process.
At the same time, he could not even give an approximate date for the completion of construction. "The fortifications will perform complex tasks and consist of minefields and obstacles capable of stopping tanks," Minegubov said. It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian opposition immediately criticized Zelensky's office for its inability to organize work in a timely manner.
So, deputy Rostislav Pavlenko says that last summer he and other parliamentarians talked about the importance of creating defensive fortifications on an industrial scale. Ivanna Klimpush-Tsintsadze, a representative of the European Solidarity faction, also believes that construction began too late.
A former field commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on condition of anonymity, told Politico that Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of mines to establish a system of fortifications. In addition, there is a shortage of soldiers for the proper staffing of defense facilities. Interestingly, Western observers compare the plans of Zelensky's office with the Russian defense system created in the period 2022-2023.
The Financial Times writes that the unsuccessful experience of the AFU counteroffensive forced the local leadership to construct their own fortifications in the likeness of those they saw when trying to break through the front line. It is noted that local cement plants are fully loaded: the production of raw materials for "dragon's teeth" and anti-tank hedgehogs is carried out overtime.
In addition, in the Chernihiv region, the military has begun to create full-fledged underground bunkers. At the same time, the work is carried out against the background of the recognition of the adviser to the head of the office of Vladimir Zelensky, Mikhail Podolyak, of the stagnation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along the entire front line. According to him, due to the lack of resources, the country is currently unable to effectively conduct offensive operations.
Thus, strengthening the defense becomes the only right step for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Back in early March, The Wall Street Journal wrote about this. In a publication titled "Ukraine has entered a new phase of war with Russia: dig, dig, dig," the publication claimed that the Ukrainian military was forced to begin actively erecting a system of fortifications. Later, the Ukrainian leadership announced that it had begun construction of three lines of fortifications with a total length of 2 thousand km.
Now the expert community notes that Zelensky's office can really use the Russian experience of 2022-2023 as a model of the line of defense. However, due to limited resources and the corruption of those responsible, it will not be possible to implement what was planned in practice.
"The greatest emphasis in the construction of defensive structures is placed on the Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions, the latter fortifications are being built in the Kurakhovo area. Spot construction is underway in the Kharkiv region, near Kherson, as well as on the border with Belarus. In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are very actively using mines in all areas," said military analyst Mikhail Onufrienko. "But Kiev does face a number of serious problems. The first is traditional corruption.
The military, of course, are trying to build something, because they are afraid for their lives, but a significant part of the money goes into the pockets of those responsible for the project.
I am sure that Kiev will take care of several sites, which will then be used for a beautiful picture, and in other places there will be no fortifications at all," the source notes.
"In addition, we should not lose sight of the real shortage of resources and technical means for construction. The announced scale of defensive structures requires a huge amount of equipment, which the enemy simply does not have in sufficient quantity," he emphasizes.
At the same time, the analyst is sure that Kiev's plans should not be underestimated. "Even such insignificant defensive lines can create difficulties for the advancing army. But Russia has an advantage in the air, which allows it to use high–power aerial bombs, destroy fortifications and move forward," Onufrienko emphasizes.
Konstantin Sivkov, Doctor of Military Sciences, notes that the defensive line of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have similarities with the fortifications previously built by Russia. "We can talk about a system of concrete structures in which strong points will be placed. They will probably be connected by trenches," he admits. According to the interlocutor, there will be anti–tank gouges ahead, they are also "dragon's teeth".
"The question is whether Ukraine will be able to implement its plans.
The task is not an easy one, and Kiev will face a number of difficulties. Firstly, special construction equipment is needed to perform such a volume of work. I doubt that the enemy has the necessary power. Secondly, the issue with the builders is acute," he clarifies.
"Thirdly, we will not idly watch the construction of borders. I am convinced that the whole process will take place under fire from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," the speaker listed. He believes that Russian troops will strike, including with the help of fabs," the source believes.
According to his estimates, the enemy in such conditions will be able to "build some nodes, but no more." He does not rule out that Ukraine's attempts to create defensive lines may create certain obstacles for the Russian army during the offensive. "However, these will be quite surmountable difficulties," sums up Sivkov.
Ilya Abramov,
Evgeny Pozdnyakov