The Russian defenders lie in wait in six lines

For weeks, experts have been discussing when the Ukrainian army’s counter-offensive will begin – and especially where it will begin. That last point in particular should also be of interest to the Russian military leadership. Because they have to defend the conquered territories in Ukraine from the offensive.

To this end, the Russian army built numerous trenches and fortifications. They consist of several zones and sometimes stretch for tens of kilometers along the more than 800 kilometers long front line.

The extent of the defenses is shown by Finnish Army Reserve Officer and Osint specialist Pasi Paroinen. Using the example of the approximately 20-kilometre-wide line of defense between the towns of Robotyne and Tokmak in Zaporizhia Oblast, he shows how far Russian fortifications stretch behind the front lines.

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The Russian defense consists of five zones

According to Paroinen’s explanation, the first defense zone starts about three kilometers behind the front. It does not consist of a continuous line, but mainly of small outposts. Directly behind it begins Zone 2. It is the first real line of defense consisting of trenches that connect different bases.

According to Paroinen, the Russians have placed reserve troops and possible attack positions in zone 3. In addition, a large part of the Russian artillery positions and shelters under which the Russians park their vehicles are said to be located there.

Minefields in the main line of defense?

This is followed by the main defense line in zone 4. This is crossed by anti-tank and anti-tank ditches. According to Paroinen, tank barriers made of concrete, so-called dragon’s teeth, can also be found there. The expert also suspects that the Russians have laid mines there.

This is followed by zones 5 and 6: a relatively narrow zone with retreat positions and the city of Tokmak surrounded by trenches and other bases.

Pasi Paroinen, of course, only refers to a short stretch of the front – the expert wonders whether the entire 800-kilometer front has developed into a fortress to that extent. “Some areas may not be fully fortified yet,” he explained in another tweet.

Can Russia Defend?

Another factor in Russia’s ability to defend its frontline conquests is the enormous manpower required to defend its fortifications. Thomas Theiner, the former commander of the Italian mountain infantry, estimates that Russia would need up to 540,000 soldiers to defend the entire front.

The question is whether so many soldiers are really necessary – especially since Ukraine will not attack more than 800 kilometers away, but will rather concentrate its troops on certain positions.