Why Russians retreat to their trenches

The Russians dig in. Currently, BTM-3 trenchers are driving around the annexed territory of Ukraine at high speed, digging endless trenches. The goal is to mark the new defense line. But apparently the dug line can be easily bypassed for Ukrainian troops.

The Russians fall back on an old technique in the war. The Wagner group, made up of Russian mercenaries, dig several trenches along the entire front. Especially in Donetsk and Kherson, the Russians are digging in along the defense line. This is reminiscent of a tactic used in World War II. At that time, the Germans relied on the “Maginot Line”, the Soviets on the “Stalin” and “Molotov Lines”. The 1929 Soviet lines consisted of several bunkers along a defense line from the Baltic Sea to Slovakia. But this type of defense was causing problems for the Red Army at the time and part of it was not operational.

The new front line is protected by large blocks of pyramid-shaped concrete bollards. As the “Spiegel” reports, the line runs to the Russian city of Belgorod. Russia has repeatedly reported shelling on the city in recent weeks and Ukraine has denied all charges.

New “state border” of the Russian Federation?

The Donbass region in particular needs to be protected. The Russians are not ready to give up the successes of the summer. After Russia annexed the territories, martial law was imposed. The pyramid-shaped concrete blocks are intended to slow down Ukrainian armored vehicles if they want to cross the new front line. The new “Wagner line” is also called the new “state border of the Russian Federation”.

Two rows of concrete “dragon’s teeth” adorn the new line along the disputed territory in Ukraine. A number of shooting ranges will also be constructed and trenches will be dug. As the Russian medium “FAN” reports, Russian troops are entrenching themselves in the trenches to create a deeper defense node.

Apparently areas in Luhansk are abandoned

Looking at the new defense line consisting of trenches and dragon’s teeth, it seems clear: the Russians are also willing to give up areas. Because: The line runs along the Severskyj Donets River, excluding the Luhansk region. “The configuration of the line suggests that Prigozhin assumes the worst case scenario and that not only Svatove but also Starobelsk falls,” said pro-Russian Telegram channel Madame Sekretar. Both cities are located in the annexed Luhansk Oblast.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin (61) said the line was a new strategy. Prigozhin is silent about the exact length and other details. As the online portal Meduza writes, the line can be broken very easily. In addition, some concrete dragon teeth are not particularly well attached. This begs the question of how efficient the “Wagner Line” really is and whether the Russians really couldn’t have a better strategy than resorting to a World War II method. (jwg)