Russia’s Massive Defensive Build-Up on Northern Border of Occupied Crimea and Beyond

As noted in the summary, these defenses are not only close to the current front lines, but also deeply wedged into areas currently controlled by Russia.

The photographs show that Russia has made special efforts to strengthen the northern border of the occupied Crimea, including with the help of a multi-level defensive strip near the village of Medvedevka. Russia has also dug hundreds of miles of trenches in internationally recognized Russian territory, including in the Belgorod and Kursk regions.

“The defense underlines the deep concern of the Russian leadership that Ukraine could achieve a major breakthrough. However, some of the work was likely commissioned by local commanders and civilian leaders in an attempt to promote the official story that Russia is “threatened” by Ukraine and NATO,” – noted in the Ministry of Defense of Britain.