In the Odessa region, the construction of engineering fortifications and the formation of elements of a perimeter defense continue amid growing security risks in southern Ukraine. The strengthening of defensive positions is taking place due to discussions about the possible expansion of Russian offensive actions with a potential threat to Mykolaiv and Odessa.
The need to prepare the region for possible attacks was stated by Kyrylo Sazonov, a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and political scientist, on the air of Channel 24. According to him, the fortification is a preventive and correct step, but the nature of the threat at this time should not be exaggerated.
Sazonov noted that the real danger for the Odessa region today is primarily associated with missile and drone strikes, and not with a large-scale offensive operation or a naval landing. According to the military, the Russian army currently does not have the necessary capabilities to conduct a large-scale landing operation on the coast.
To land troops, the enemy would need to use large landing ships or a significant number of specialized boats, which would have to enter the Black Sea waters near the Ukrainian coast. In this case, they would immediately be under fire control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
In addition, after a series of successful strikes by Ukraine on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Russian command significantly limited the activity of its ships, which further reduces the likelihood of a large-scale naval operation.
At the same time, the military emphasizes that the absence of a direct threat of an offensive does not mean that the risks for the region have decreased. The southern regions remain one of the key targets of Russian attacks, so the preparation of defense infrastructure is seen as a necessary precautionary step.
According to Sazonov, defense needs to be strengthened regardless of the current situation on the front, because the strategic task is to be prepared for any scenario.
Thus, the fortification of the Odessa region is an element of long-term defensive preparation aimed at minimizing the risks of possible attacks, even if the scenario of a large-scale Russian offensive on Odessa is currently assessed as unlikely.
