New approaches to fortification support for defense are being introduced in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In operational-tactical groups, special groups are created that deal exclusively with fortification issues, and positions of deputy commanders responsible for this area are introduced.
Construction of fortifications continues at the front
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Alexander Syrsky, announced this during a meeting with journalists.
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According to him, active work is underway on the construction of defensive fortifications and engineering structures in all key areas of the front. Particular attention is paid to the northern regions, in particular, Sumy region.
Syrsky emphasized that approaches to the construction of defensive facilities have changed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The experience of fighting in Bakhmut showed that large strongholds were no longer effective, giving way to more mobile and smaller shelters.
“We see that the most effective position is a maximum of a squad. And basically these are groups of trenches, even so-called fox holes, which make it impossible for the enemy to use attack drones. After all, now a drone, especially on fiber optics, can penetrate any crack,” he said.
The General Staff recalled that responsibility for fortification equipment is distributed among different structures.
The first line of defense is being built by combined arms units, the second by the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the operational line is being built by the State Special Transport Service.
Work in the rear is coordinated by regional military administrations through contractors.
At the same time, the Commander-in-Chief emphasized that any fortification will not be effective without the proper combat strength:
“If there are no military personnel in the fortification or their number is insufficient – for example, when a normal stronghold is built, but two or three soldiers remain in it – of course, this fortification does not play its role,” Syrsky emphasized.
The measures introduced are aimed not only at increasing the effectiveness of defense, but also at ensuring the army’s adaptation to new challenges of war, in particular the active use of drones by the enemy.
