Despite the current operational focus in the central Donbass, Russia remains concerned about the security of the edges of its extended front line, the British Ministry of Defense estimates. Russia’s front line in Ukraine is approximately 1,288 km, of which 192 km is in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia Oblast.
In the daily intelligence update, the ministry explained that this is evidenced by the continuation of the construction of defensive fortifications in the Zaporizhia and Luhansk regions and the deployment of personnel.
The British ministry said that, as of February 7, photos from open sources indicate that Russia it probably further strengthened the defensive fortifications in the Zaporizhia Oblast to the south Ukraineespecially near the village of Tarasivka, and as of January 8, Russia established defensive fortifications between the villages of Vasylivka and Orichiv in the Zaporizhia Oblast.
1288 kilometers of front line
Russia’s front line in Ukraine is approximately 1,288 km, of which 192 km is in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia Oblast.
“A major Ukrainian breakthrough in Zaporozhye would significantly undermine the survivability of the Russian ‘land bridge’ linking Russia’s Rostov Oblast to Crimea. A Ukrainian success in Lugansk would further undermine Russia’s stated war goal of ‘liberation’ Donbass. Deciding which of these threats to prioritize in countering is likely one of the main dilemmas for Russian operational planners.
Main photo source: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine/Facebook