Military Space News
WAR REPORT
Ukraine digs in for drawn-out defensive fight
Ukraine digs in for drawn-out defensive fight
By Didier LAURAS
Paris (AFP) Mar 18, 2024

Ukrainian forces facing a lack of munitions and manpower are digging in to resist Russian attack, mirroring the invaders' strategy and showing Kyiv expects a drawn-out war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Kyiv's troops were in an "ongoing process" of building around 2,000 kilometres of defensive lines.

Britain's defence ministry said the works included "anti-tank dragon's teeth and ditches, infantry trenches, minefields and fortified defensive positions" in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"The establishment of major defensive positions is indicative of the attritional character of the conflict... any attempt to conduct breaching operations will likely be accompanied with high losses," the ministry added.

Built in 2023, Russia's so-called "Surovikin Line" on occupied Ukrainian soil stalled Kyiv's counteroffensive with its three-layered defence in depth.

Such barriers are designed both to wear down enemy forces and prevent them holding ground even if they succeed in breaking through.

Ukraine's version may be less elaborate and deep, but is needed to compensate for its ammunition shortage.

"Already, Ukrainian officials say that time is the key factor preventing them from building something resembling the... Surovikin line," said Ivan Klyszcz, a researcher at Estonia's International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS).

"Ammunition scarcity and diminishing morale have placed Ukraine squarely on the defensive," he added.

- 'Maximise the cost' -

Ukraine's counter-offensive in the second half of 2023, planned with backing from allies including the US, left Kyiv with minimal territorial gains and heavy losses.

As the war has dragged on, defenders' advantage over attackers has become starker than in many previous conflicts.

Both sides now hope to inflict the heaviest possible losses on their enemy over the long term.

Zelensky's lines "are designed to maximise the cost of casualties and fatalities for the Russians," said Seth Jones, vice-president of US-based think-tank CSIS.

"These kinds of fortifications have been effective in slowing down offensive forces" in the past, he added.

Russian observers contacted by AFP were unmoved by Zelensky's announcement.

It was "proof that Ukraine has realised its offensive failed," said Alexander Khramchikhin, a Russian military expert.

"Their success will depend on their quality" and on how much the construction effort is hobbled by Ukraine's still-endemic corruption, he added.

"Do they have the manpower to build and defend them?" asked Vasily Kashin, of Moscow's Higher School of Economics.

"Russia's army has already broken through stronger Ukrainian fortifications at Avdiivka," he added, referring to the frontline town in eastern region of Donetsk that fell to the Russians in mid-February.

- Years to go? -

Kyiv may be bowing to the present realities of the conflict, but its objective remains liberating its territory in the eastern Donbass region and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia took in 2014.

"The Ukrainians have relied on fortifications since spring 2022. The real difference... is that now, they will not only focus on fortifying the immediate vicinity of the front line" but also shore up their rear areas, said analysts from British private intelligence firm Janes.

Like the Russian defences, Kyiv's aim is to prevent attackers from securing any short-term gains they may make.

Ukrainian leaders hope that as the war wears on, Western sanctions will hobble Russia's ability to sustain the effort.

Meanwhile in Moscow, the hope is that Western military and financial aid to Ukraine will dry up.

Both sides' conjectures point to the same strategy for now: holding ground.

"The balance of power is shifting and Ukraine aims to extend the conflict at least into 2025," Russian analyst Kashin said.

While front lines may appear fixed, fighting is "less at an impasse than in a phase of 'reloading'", the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) said in a report published last week.

Ukraine and Russia are "racing to rebuild the combat potential that would allow them to win in 2025 or 2026," it added.

Neither side is capable of winning the war for now -- nor have they given up on eventually prevailing.

"It's possible these lines would become de-facto borders," CSIS' Jones said -- although the possibility of negotiations remains relatively distant.

"There is going to be another year or two before both sides will be willing to talk," Jones added.

dla-bur/tgb/sjw/giv

X

Related Links
Space War News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WAR REPORT
Russia launches missiles on Ukrainian border regions
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) Mar 18, 2024
Ukrainian officials said Monday that Russia had launched missiles on border regions where it has intensified attacks in recent days. Overnight, Russia launched five missiles on the northeastern Kharkiv border region and also targeted the neighbouring Sumy border region with two missiles, the Ukrainian air force said. Russia in recent weeks has stepped up air attacks on the northeastern Sumy region, which was partially occupied early in the war. Russia has also pushed further in the east and ... read more

WAR REPORT
General Atomics Partners with Lockheed Martin for Next-Gen Missile Tracking Satellites

BAE Systems to pioneer ground system for Space Force's missile defense upgrade

Lockheed Martin advances in missile defense with key acquisition milestone

US approves $3.5 billion in missile sales to Poland

WAR REPORT
G7 threatens new sanctions if Iran sends Russia ballistic missiles

Kim Jong Un oversees 'super-large' rocket launcher firing drills

Israel hits Hezbollah arms depots in Syria: war monitor

US destroys Huthi missiles, drones in new Yemen strike

WAR REPORT
Cheap drones 'cannot match' artillery power in Ukraine: experts

German navy almost shot down US drone in Red Sea: reports

United Aircraft Launches Innovative Tiltrotor UAV Concept at Singapore Airshow

Italian warship shoots down two drones in Red Sea

WAR REPORT
Satellites for quantum communications

Antaris and SpeQtral Unveil Quantum Encryption Satellite Collaboration

L3Harris Delivers Next-Gen SATCOM Solutions to US Army

Fleet Space's Centauri Satellite Achieves Groundbreaking Voice Capability for Australian Defence

WAR REPORT
Swedish man charged over military base secrets

EU agrees 5-bn-euro package to fund arms for Ukraine

White House unveils $300M Ukraine aid package that uses U.S. weapons stockpiles

Czech-led collection can get Ukraine 300,000 shells: PM

WAR REPORT
Seoul says N Korea has shipped 7,000 arms containers to Russia

China ties with Russia set to deepen after Putin election win

EU states urge bloc's lender to up financing for defence

House committee grills Lloyd Austin over handling of hospitalization

WAR REPORT
Blinken says US stands by 'ironclad' commitments to defend Philippines

China's Xi says Putin re-election 'fully reflects' support of Russian people

Biden to host Philippines, Japan leaders to counter China

China, India hail Putin election win; West brands it 'undemocratic'

WAR REPORT
Researchers unveil novel technique for creating atomically thin nanoscrolls

MIT.nano equipment to accelerate innovation in "tough tech" sectors

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.