MOSCOW, March 7 Ukraine's efforts to build defensive fortifications along front lines have not produced significant results, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing Western officials and Ukrainian soldiers.
Earlier, the New York Times, citing images from the American satellite company Planet Labs, reported that Ukraine's defensive fortifications west of Avdiivka are weak, which contributes to the success of the Russian army.
«This campaign (to build structures) has not brought significant results, and the lack of progress is becoming a problem for Ukraine as Russia escalates attacks,» the publication said.
According to Nikolai Beleskov, a researcher at the Ukrainian National Institute of Strategic Studies, whose opinion is cited by the publication, Russian forces are now in a comfortable position and are laying the foundation for a serious offensive in the second half of the year.
Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin called its goal “the protection of people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.” He noted that the special operation was a forced measure; Russia “was left no chance to do otherwise; security risks were created such that it was impossible to respond by other means.” According to him, Russia has been trying for 30 years to come to an agreement with NATO on the principles of security in Europe, but in response it has been faced with either cynical deception and lies, or attempts at pressure and blackmail, while the alliance, meanwhile, despite Moscow’s protests, is steadily expanding and approaching borders of the Russian Federation.