Ukraine does not expect the current negotiations with the Russians to bring peace and continues to build multi-layered defense lines, preparing for several more years of war, Le Monde reports, quoted by UNIAN.
In an extensive publication, the authors describe how Ukrainian engineering units are building a large-scale line of fortifications and obstacles in the Dnepropetrovsk region, stretching for hundreds of kilometers along the front line, but 35 kilometers from the forward Russian positions.
„The new defense line leaves a scar on the endless snowy countryside like a wound. Several rows of barbed wire, anti-personnel traps and anti-tank ditches are 120 meters wide.“ A few dozen meters further, hidden under a hedge of trees, is a second line of trenches and underground fortifications, where Ukrainian soldiers are preparing to hold back the Russian invaders with fire“, writes Le Monde.
The publication notes that the scale of the project reflects the conviction of the Ukrainian General Staff that Moscow has no intention of stopping its aggression anytime soon.
“We are facing another five or ten years of war until the Russians find another bone to chew. Putin will not be stopped by any so-called peace agreement or ceasefire, but by brute force - the disintegration of Russia or the collapse of the regime,“ a representative of the State Special Transport Service, which is involved in the construction work, told the publication.
The authors of the publication note that the Ukrainian defense forces are still unable to stop the Russian offensive, which is proceeding at the slowest pace in history and is costing Moscow huge losses.
The Ukrainian army is facing a shortage of infantry to plug the gaps along the front, and it also lacks long-range air defense systems to prevent Russian attack aircraft from destroying the defenders' fortified positions with rocket launchers.
“Our response is to build positions that are increasingly deeply dug in and increasingly better camouflaged,“ he says 23-year-old Senior Lieutenant Vladimir, chief engineer of the forward command post.
The so-called low-visibility obstacles (HVO) have become a good means of protection. A kind of “mattress“ placed in front of the barbed wire, woven from metal wire and partially covered with snow.
“Once you get inside, it is impossible to get out“, explained Vladimir.
The engineering obstacles are reinforced with anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, which ultimately turns the obstacle course into a death trap.
Behind this wide strip of obstacles lies the second element of the defense system - camouflaged and fortified infantry positions. A key change compared to the initial period of the war is that all trenches must now be covered with a thick layer of soil to protect against drones and bombs.
These trenches are connected to underground living quarters reinforced with reinforced concrete walls.
“The defensive position must also be located along a supply route protected by vegetation,“ the officer added.
According to Le Monde, these construction works are complicated by a number of problems. In addition to Russian drones constantly trying to attack construction workers 20 kilometers from the front, Ukrainian engineering units are seriously under-resourced.
“We have only a tenth of the human and material resources needed to properly build reserve positions“, admitted a military man interviewed by journalists.
Engineering corps sometimes find themselves on the front line, plugging gaps and stabilizing the front. This is exactly what happened, for example, in some areas near Gulyaipole and Stepnogorsk in Zaporizhia Oblast.