“Wagner line” in eastern Ukraine
Russians set up anti-tank obstacles 50 kilometers behind the front
10/22/2022, 09:49 am
In Ukraine, attention is mainly focused on the south, on Cherson and the dam there. But the Russians are also securing their positions in the east. However, around 50 kilometers behind the current front. Are you assuming a loss of territory?
Current satellite images show a new Russian line of defense in eastern Ukraine. The photos from the provider Maxar and the European Space Agency ESA show hundreds of small concrete pyramids that were built on two lines near the Hirske. Apparently they are supposed to stop Ukrainian military vehicles. It is striking how far away this line is from the current front line. Hirske is about 25 kilometers south of Lysychansk, which is under Russian control, and a good 50 kilometers east of Bakhmut, where the front is currently running and where the Russians are actually attacking, i.e. moving forward.
As CNN reports, the concrete blocks arranged in two double rows over a distance of about 1.6 kilometers near Hirske are also known as the “Wagner Line”, in reference to the Russian mercenary troops, which are now an important pillar of the Russian campaign. A ditch is also visible in the pictures right next to it. According to CNN, images from ESA show it was dug between September 25 and October 5.
A Russian broadcaster spoke of a “second line of defense” should the Ukrainians break through there. It is not surprising that preparations are under way – this is the region where the Ukrainians made surprisingly large gains in September. Given the short length, however, there could be opportunities for Ukrainian forces to bypass the line. An important road to Luhansk, the important regional capital, runs near Hirske. The region of the same name is one of the territories recently annexed by Russia.
CNN quotes a Russian newspaper as saying that there are plans to expand the line from the Russian-Ukrainian border to Kreminna and then south to Svitlodarsk. In that case, it would have to be extended by almost 100 kilometers on the latter north-south section alone. According to a CNN calculation, a total of 217 kilometers would have to be paved. However, further construction activities could not be seen on satellite images.