The military showed how they are building fortifications in the Donetsk region
4 March, 2024 Arrangement of defensive lines in the Donetsk region. March, 2024. Photo credits: ArmyInform
Ukrainian military engineers are building defense lines in the Donetsk region. The news agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, ArmyInform, showed how the work is going. The military is working on the construction of a platoon stronghold on the frontier of the defense of the operational zone of one of the operational and tactical groups.
The exact location of the construction is not disclosed for security reasons. The news agency said that, given the nature and realities of modern warfare, trenches are made wider and higher to allow for a gap in equipment, carrying a wounded person on a stretcher, etc. "During the Second World War, the depth and width of the trenches were 1.5 meters by 80 centimeters, but now we make them 2 meters deep and about 1 meter wide.
And another half-meter parapet is poured on top. At the same time, we cannot make it wider, because the trenches will become more vulnerable to shelling. We use geotextiles, mesh, boards, and timbers in the construction," says Leonid, an officer of the engineering troops.
Arrangement of defensive lines in Donetsk region.
March, 2024. Photo credits: ArmyInform
The corners of the trench are reinforced with additional pillars and spacers. Pillboxes are covered with wooden boards.
The troops also equip exits with smooth elevation changes to avoid injuries during rapid movements.
Arrangement of defensive lines in the Donetsk region. March, 2024. Photo credits: ArmyInform
"The height of the covered area is approximately 2 meters 30 centimeters.
There is a strong frame, transverse and longitudinal beams, and the floor has two layers: the first layer is half a meter of ground, and the second layer is the same." All of this is disguised. In the event of shelling, you can quickly move to such areas from firing positions.
At each entrance and exit, a well is dug to collect water so that it does not flow into the blocked area. "The advantage of working with wood is the speed, but the disadvantage is its short life (it needs to be repaired after 2 years - Ed.). Over the uncovered part, we make spacers at the bottom and top for structural strength and installation of anti-drone protection.
In our approach, we have taken into account the advice of infantry commanders," the military engineers said.
A dragon's teeth in the Chernihiv region, December 2023. Photo credits: Serhii Naiev
As previously reported, in January of this year, the Ukrainian government allocated additional funds for the construction of fortifications. It regards UAH 17.5 billion, which will be used to build engineering and fortification structures, relevant equipment, and non-lethal fencing systems.
Anti-HEAT gratings on concrete structures, December 2023.
Photo credits: Serhii Naiev
The funds are allocated to the relevant state agencies and regional state administrations.