ISW explains why Russians build fortifications on border with Ukraine

This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Experts note that Russian troops continue building defenses along the Russian-Ukrainian border in order to push Ukrainian troops to the northern border areas. Namely, Russian troops continue to construct defensive structures in the Kursk and Bryansk regions of the Russian Federation.

The enemy is also keeping troops in the Belgorod region to perform demonstration actions to prevent Ukrainian forces from withdrawing to other areas.

"Russian forces may be constructing defensive fortifications to support an information operation that portrays Ukrainian forces as a direct threat to Russian territory," analysts say.

The Institute noted that Russian forces continue constructing fortifications in occupied Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts. Geolocated images published on March 13 show Russian checkpoints and defensive structures south of Tokmak, Zaporizhia Oblast.

ISW previously reported that some Russian milbloggers speculate about a prospective Ukrainian counteroffensive in southern Ukraine suggesting increasing concern in the Russian information space over Ukrainian combat power.

ISW recalls that on March 14, Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks northeast of Kupyansk and along the Svatove-Kreminna line. Geolocated footage posted on March 14 indicates minor Russian advances toward Novoselivske (14km northwest of Svatove). Ukrainian Luhansk Region Administration Head Serhiy Haidai, whose dismissal was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, reported that Russian forces in this area lose up to a company (30 to 100 personnel) per day but do not reduce the number of attacks.

Russian troops continue to advance in the area of Bakhmut, Donetsk region. Geolocation footage published on March 13 shows that the enemy was advancing along Sadova Street in the southern part of Bakhmut.

Analysts note that according to Russian sources, the fighting is increasingly moving towards western Bakhmut, and Wagner PMC fighters are trying to reach the Khromovo-Bohdanivka line, 5 km west of Bakhmut.

Russian forces continued ground attacks along the Avdiivka frontline on March 14. Geolocated combat footage posted on March 13 shows that Russian troops have advanced east of Krasnohorivka (about 9km north of Avdiivka). A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces continue to advance in Krasnohorivka and are trying to bypass Avdiivka.

• Earlier, the General Staff reported that work is underway to equip enemy positions in the border areas of the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.