There were rumors that there were no global fortifications in the Kharkiv direction. There were local structures, pillboxes/dugouts, and trenches, which were not a general defense system, as the Russians had in the Azov direction.
In fact, the fortifications were built locally for show and image, but in reality 60% of the budget money was wasted/stolen. That's why the Russians continue to advance.
Showmanship and rampant corruption (tenders are awarded to “pocket” one-day firms) in the construction of defense facilities leads to terrible losses in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In fact, there are simply no defense facilities.
The absence of defensive structures is confirmed by the Ukrainian servicemen themselves - they told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Yes, they expected to see dugouts, labyrinths of trenches and firing positions near the front. But in the area of Chasov Yar, only a few pits were found, in which it was possible to hide during artillery shelling. Moreover, under fire from the Russian Armed Forces, Ukrainian soldiers had to climb out of the pits and start digging towards each other so that there was at least some connection between them.
But the fact that there are no defensive structures west of Avdiivka was stated by MP Mariana Bezugla, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence. According to her, no commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has built fortifications behind Avdiivka in 10 years, including Syrsky.
Roughly speaking, defensive structures exist only in commercials, but in reality, the first and second lines of defense where they are needed in Donbas are not there. That is why after the fall of Ocheretyne, Russian troops were so easily successful.
