Will it be easier for Ukrainian troops after they break through Russia's first line of defense? 

Kovalenko posts about this on his Telegram channel 

“I must emphasize that war is never easy,” he writes. “However, some clarity can be provided to shed light on the matter.”

The first line of defense is a very difficult area to break through because it has the highest level of minefields. To minimize casualties, it was decided to use M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Leopard 2 tanks to break through in this area. However, this contributes to the relatively slow advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the support zone.

The second line of defense is the main one and it has a lesser concentration of landmines. Instead, it is fortified with artillery positions that provide fire support to cover the first line as well as the primary forces and assets of the occupying troops.

“The Russian command has recently been deploying reserves from the second line to reinforce the first line of defense, starting from the second half of June. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to operate in the еhe first line with units that have limited functionality, without directly engaging the main strike group.

To gain a better understanding of the main line of defense borders, its strongholds are, for example, Staromlynivka, Robotyne-Novoprokopivka, Vasylivka, etc. And as we can see, Ukrainian forces are in close proximity to some of these “strongholds.” Draw your own conclusions,” the military expert explains. 

The third line is the rear line and is designed to address both the supply issues of the second and first lines, as well as to accommodate the reserve positions needed for troops retreating from the first and second lines. But these positions are less well equipped than in the first two lines of defense.

According to Kovalenko, following the increased activity of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the first line, not only did the second line of defense become vulnerable as it engaged its artillery, revealing its positions and becoming targets for destruction, but also the third line, consisting of rear facilities, started to come under attack.

“In June, records were also set for the number of destroyed enemy air defenses, a record for destroyed special equipment, and the second-highest number of vehicles destroyed during the war. These successes can be attributed to the pressure exerted by Ukrainian forces across all three lines of defense.

This is what the occupiers’ lines of defense are like. And the actions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in a particular area should not be perceived as isolated, it does not mean that they do not affect areas a few tens of kilometers away from the main location of the fighting. Everything happens in a comprehensive and systematic way,” the journalist emphasized.