Russian forces are making small but rapid gains outside the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, and one of the reasons for this is the poor Ukrainian defenses in the area. A review of satellite imagery by Planet Labs reveals that the Ukrainian trench lines in the area lack fortifications that might effectively slow down Russian tanks and defend crucial roads and terrain.
Avdiivka has been the site of a fierce battle over the past nine months, and when Russia captured the city on February 17, the Ukrainian Army claimed to have secured defensive lines outside the city. However, Russian troops have since captured three villages to the west of Avdiivka and are contesting another. This suggests that the Ukrainian defenses in the area are insufficient.
Comparing the Ukrainian defenses to the Russian fortifications in the southern village of Verbove further highlights the lack of robustness. Verbove has a concentric ring of fortifications, including trenches, cement obstacles, and a sprawling trench for infantry. In contrast, the Ukrainian fortifications outside Avdiivka consist mainly of rudimentary earthen fortifications with connecting trenches for infantry troops. The difference in fortifications is striking and demonstrates the unpreparedness of the Ukrainian defenses.
There are various reasons for the apparent lack of Ukrainian defenses. One possible reason is that Ukrainian officials may have been too focused on offensive operations last year to allocate resources for building strong defensive lines. There may also have been a psychological element, as heavily mining certain areas in defense would signify a tacit acknowledgement that
