Russia is collapsing – Ukraine is concentrating its forces in the wrong place – 2024-03-08 12:57:23

Ukraine is trying to build up fortresses at a rapid pace as Russia collapses. According to the publications of the Ukrainian General Staff, the entire fortress capacity is in constant use, but Ukraine has not been able to build fortresses as fast as Russia in the past.

Limited resources have also been diverted to strange destinations: a massive defensive line is being built behind the city of H’erson.

– It is quite logical that these fortresses are built in Donetsk, Zaporizhia and so on. But the satellite images show even downright absurdity, states Tilannestudio’s expert Emil Kastehelmi.

This year, the Ukrainian General Staff has communicated several times about fortification works in different parts of Ukraine. Ukrainian General Staff

About 30 kilometers of anti-tank barriers are already ready. What makes the project absurd is the location. Kastehelmi notes that Ukraine’s defense positions are already in the best position in the Kherson region thanks to the Dnipro river.

– It is one of Europe’s largest natural water barriers, which Ukraine has very limited opportunities to cross, but so do the Russians.

And there is nothing to suggest that the Russians are going to cross the river in the near future. And right now, fortification equipment would be needed more urgently elsewhere.

Ukraine late on the move

Last year saw how Russia’s large-scale fortification produced the desired results, slowing down and even stopping the opponent. Ukraine has certainly learned how fortresses work at best, even if they are qualitatively avoidable.

However, Ukraine started the extensive fortification relatively late, probably around November. Deficiencies in preparations can be seen on the front in many places, for example, as unfavorable or poorly prepared positions.

Kastehelmi estimates that the reason for the late start may be political. Ukraine has not wanted to abandon the long-held narrative that the attack will continue.

The 84th episode of Tilannestudio can be watched in its entirety from the beginning of the story.

Special reporter Emil Kastehelmi is one of the founders of the Black Bird Group, which follows the situation at the front of the war in Ukraine. The team follows the development of the war in Ukraine through open sources and updates the situation on The War in Ukraine online map.