What factors contributed to Russia’s tactical success at front

He said this on the Espreso TV channel.

‘If we interpret the statements of Kostenko, Bezuhla and other so-called opinion leaders, we can talk about the beginning of the second wave of attacks against Syrskyi. In fact, there are several factors that contribute to the tactical success of the Russians. These include superiority in manpower, total air superiority and firepower, which, unfortunately, is also in favor of the occupying Russian army. 

There are also external factors, such as the slow nature of military and technical support for Ukraine from strategic partners, and internal factors, such as the poor state of engineering and fortification structures in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. This is the main factor that contributed to the tactical success of the Russian forces, when the engineering and fortification structures in Donetsk region, for which UAH 17 billion was allocated, resemble Potemkin villages,’ Sniehyriov said.

In the Kurakhove sector, it is reported that the system of engineering and fortifications was built without taking into account the real needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the nature of the Russian offensive in this area of the front, the military expert noted.

‘The situation is similar in the Pokrovsk direction. It has been repeatedly noted that representatives of the civil-military administrations of Selydove and Myrnohrad were engaged in outright money laundering rather than the construction of engineering and fortification structures. That's where Kostenko should start, by checking the state of engineering fortifications, not only in Donetsk, but also in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia regions,’ he summed up.

Construction of fortifications in Ukraine

On November 30, 2023, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered to strengthen defense and build fortifications in all major areas.

On December 30, the government adopted a resolution expanding the list of government agencies that can purchase goods, works and services for the construction of military engineering and fortifications.

In late February 2024, the President announced an audit to help identify weaknesses in the construction of fortifications.

In September, the State Enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’ signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defense to supply almost 65,000 cubic metres of round timber. The timber will be used for the construction of fortifications.

At the end of September, PM Shmyhal said that the fortifications for Mykolaiv region were 100% complete, and the facilities had been transferred to the Regional Military Administration.

At a meeting on October 25, the government decided to create a reserve for the construction of fortifications and engineering structures in Ukraine.