Fortifications built near Zaporizhzhia in anticipation of Russian offensive – The Economist

Fortifications are being meticulously constructed near the city of Zaporizhzhia in preparation for a potential Russian offensive, though some Ukrainian commanders believe that Russia is not yet ready for a large-scale attack in this area.

Source: The Economist

Quote: "Ukrainian intelligence believes that Russia is gearing up for a bold assault on Zaporizhia city, 30km from the front. When exactly no one is clear, but it makes some sense. As one of three remaining centres of heavy industry in the country, the provincial capital remains crucial to Ukraine’s survival as a functioning state."

Details: The report states that new defences are being built in rings radiating outward from the oblast centre.

"The work is thorough — minefields, engineering obstacles, and structures made of concrete and iron — unlike the more chaotic picture in neighbouring Donetsk province, still the site of the heaviest fighting," the article says.

At the same time, not all Ukrainian military personnel consider an attack on Zaporizhzhia inevitable.

Colonel Oleksii Khilchenko, the commander of Spartan, a rapid response brigade, recently deployed to Zaporizhzhia, says Russia is tied up elsewhere. He stated that the Russians had planned to send two divisions (20,000–30,000 troops) for an initial assault, but half of them have been redeployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast.

A fighter with nom de guerre Lemberg, a battalion commander in the 118th Briigade defending southwestern part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, shares this assessment.

"They (the Russians) aren’t ready to hit yet, but when they are, the first blow will be the hardest," he believes.

The Economist also highlights that Ukraine's challenges on the frontline are worsening, primarily due to personnel issues. The article notes a longstanding shortage of volunteers for military service, with the mobilisation campaign managing to recruit barely two-thirds of its goal.

"A senior Ukrainian official says he is worried the situation may become irretrievable by the spring," the article states.

The publication further emphasises concerns over the quality of recruits. Many of them are over 45 years old and face health issues, which complicates the situation.

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