Russia fortifying positions around Mariupol, near Kherson - British intelligence
That’s according to a war update by the British Defense Ministry, referring to its intelligence, Ukrinform reports.
“Russia has started constructing defensive structures around the occupied southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Two plants are producing concrete pyramidal anti-tank structures, known as Dragon’s teeth, for this purpose,” the report reads.
Dragon’s teeth have likely been installed between Mariupol and Nikolske village; and from northern Mariupol to Staryi Krym village, the update notes, adding that Mariupol forms part of Russia’s “land bridge” from Russia to Crimea, a key logistics line of communications. Dragon’s teeth have additionally been sent for the preparation of defensive fortifications in occupied parts of Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, intelligence claims.
Russia is fortifying its lines throughout areas of occupation, the report says, noting that on October 19, 2022, Wagner Group PMC owner Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed the construction of a fortified “Wagner Line” of defenses in Russian-occupied Luhansk region.
This activity suggests Russia is making a significant effort to prepare defenses in depth behind their current front line, “likely to forestall any rapid Ukrainian advances in the event of breakthroughs,” the update concludes.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, Mariupol mayor’s advisor Petro Andrushchenko said Russian invaders had started setting up a defensive line around Mariupol, using anti-tank pyramidal structures.
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