Fortifications are being built near Zaporizhzhia and there is preparation for Russian offensive - The Economist
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing to repel a Russian offensive on Zaporizhzhia, but some Ukrainian commanders believe that Russia does not have enough forces to launch a major attack in this area.
According to Censor.NET, The Economist writes about this.
"Ukrainian intelligence believes that Russia is gearing up for a bold assault on Zaporizhia city, 30km from the front. When exactly no one is clear, but it makes some sense. As one of three remaining centres of heavy industry in the country, the provincial capital remains crucial to Ukraine’s survival as a functioning state," the article says.
It is noted that the new fortifications are being built in rings radiating from the provincial capita
"The work is thorough -minefields, engineering obstacles, and structures made of concrete and iron - unlike more chaotic picture in neighbouring Donetsk region, where the fiercest fighting is still taking place," explains The Economist.
At the same time, the publication notes that not all Ukrainian soldiers consider an attack on Zaporizhzhia inevitable.
For example, Colonel Oleksii Khilchenko, commander of the Spartan Rapid Response Brigade recently deployed to Zaporizhzhia, said that Russia is tied up elsewhere. According to him, the Russians had planned to send two divisions (20-30,000 troops) for the initial assault, but half of them were redeployed to the Kursk region of Russia.
"Lemberg", a battalion commander with the 118th Brigade holding the line in southwestern Zaporizhzhia region, agreed.
"They (Russians - Ed.) are not ready to hit yet, but when they are, the first blow will be the hardest," the military said.
