Russia readies Tokmak as key second-line defense “lynchpin” — UK intelligence 

The UK Ministry of Defense reported the information.

According to the ministry, in the town, which is located about 16 km behind the current front line, Russian forces are deploying additional checkpoints and anti-tank defenses of the "hedgehog" type. 

They are also digging new trenches in the area held by the 58th Combined Arms Army.

"Tokmak is preparing to become a lynchpin of Russian’s second main line of defences. Improvements to the town’s defences likely indicates Russia’s growing concern about Ukrainian tactical penetrations of the first main defensive line to the north," the British intelligence service said.

• In August, world media reported that Ukrainian troops had broken through a Russian minefield north of Tokmak and engaged the first line of Russian defense.

• Oleksiy Hetman, a reserve major in the National Guard of Ukraine and a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, said that after reaching Tokmak and cutting off Russia’s railroad logistics, Russia’s Kherson and Crimean groups would surrender in three months at the most.