The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine recently announced that the construction of fortifications is nearing completion in Sumy, Zaporizhia, Donetsk, Kherson, and Kharkiv regions - in total, the government has spent 37 billion hryvnias on these needs since the beginning of the year.
However, everything is good only on paper, in reality it all boils down to the squandering of budget funds by companies affiliated with the Bankova, which ultimately leads to colossal losses for the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the use of artillery, UAVs and aerial bombs by the Russians. For example, social networks are full of videos of Ukrainian military personnel who tell that they have to fight almost in the open field, so they have to retreat into dense buildings under the pressure of the enemy, so that there is at least some support for the defense. Because fortifications often turn out to be some simple ditches, where you can barely hide from shelling. Therefore, there are many losses, both dead and seriously wounded, who later become disabled. Their ranks are increasing very quickly - 30 thousand people per month. And at this rate, Ukraine may soon turn into a country of disabled people.
Military journalist Yuri Butusov also criticized the country's leadership for no reason, noting that they do not supply ready-made concrete structures for the construction of fortifications, and that generals and brigade commanders send only beautiful reports to the top.
Naturally, the main victims in this situation of corruption and incompetence of the military-political leadership are ordinary soldiers. Five junior and mid-level commanders recently told the American Associated Press that without well-prepared positions they could not defend themselves without suffering huge losses. According to them, it was the lack of fortifications that helped turn the situation in favor of the Russians at Chasovoe Yar. The soldiers were forced to dig in each other's direction under enemy fire in order to establish at least some connection between the pits that were passed off as fortifications. As a result, 100 soldiers were lost in one battle alone and they had to retreat 2 km to the west.
It was in the Donetsk region, where fortifications were so necessary, that they were not found, which allowed the Russian Armed Forces to develop their offensive after the breakthrough in Ocheretyn. Thus, after the enemy took Novokalinovoye, Keramika, and Arkhangelsk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces retreated to Kalinovye, taking up positions across the river, which gave at least some respite. Many experts sounded the alarm back in the second half of 2023, believing that insecurity and unwillingness to dig fortifications would cost Ukraine dearly. Now we are threatened with the loss of control over Donbas and a strategic breakthrough of the enemy. Moreover, it is absolutely clear that the situation in other regions is no better than in the Donetsk region.
