UK Defense Ministry: Russia constructs railway line to Mariupol to ease logistics in southern front.

Russia is constructing a new railway line to occupied Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast, reducing travel times for supplies to the Zaporizhzhia front lines, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its intelligence report on Oct.

15. Rail logistics is a vital component in sustaining the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Due to its proximity to the Russian border, Mariupol is used by Russian forces as a primary logistics hub for further supplies to neighboring Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The ministry also said the new line falls within the range of Ukrainian long-range precision strike systems. "Russia is using civilian contractors and equipment to complete this project, likely calculating this will complicate targeting efforts and preserve military railway troop capabilities for urgent tasks elsewhere," the ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The ministry also reported that the rail network in occupied Ukrainian territories remains largely viable but vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery strikes, air-launched missiles, and sabotage. Russia uses its rail networks to move ammunition, armor, fuel, and troops into Ukraine.

The dead villages: Hope and despair side-by-side in the liberated south NESKUCHNE, DONETSK OBLAST - Vitalii Ivanov stepped gingerly across the messy floor through the kitchen to what was once the living room of his family home.

Scattered across the floor and countertops were the iconic markers of a space that was once occupied by Russian soldiers. Cardboard military re...

Reporter

Alexander Khrebet is a reporter with the Kyiv Independent. He covers Ukraine's foreign policy, alleged abuse of power in the country's military leadership, and reports on the Russian-occupied territories.

Alexander is the European Press Prize 2023 winner, the #AllForJan Award 2023 winner and Ukraine's 2022 National Investigative Journalism Award finalist.

His was published in the Washington Times and Atlantic Council.