Russians building line of defense around Mariupol, says mayor's adviser
The occupation “authorities” had launched two mini-plants for concrete production in Mariupol (Photo:Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)
The Russian military has begun to construct a defense line around the captured city of Mariupol, adviser to the mayor of the city Petro Andriushchenko reported on Telegram on Nov. 7.
He said concrete pyramids are being installed at the entrances to the city.
According to Andriushchenko, concrete barriers have been partially erected near the highway between Mariupol and Nikolske. Allegedly, Russians are also significantly strengthening the approaches from the north to the village of Staryi Krym.
Andriushchenko said the occupation “authorities” had launched two mini-plants for concrete production in Mariupol. Concrete pyramids for the so-called "Wagner line" are now being transported to Zaporizhzhya and Kherson oblasts.
"Despite all the claims that ‘Russia is here forever’, in reality Russians are not so optimistic,” the mayor’s adviser said.
“While ahead of the Kharkiv counter-offensive they were digging up equipment for the front, today the process of significant strengthening of Mariupol is in trend.”
Satellite images of Maxar Technologies company appeared on Oct. 22, which showed that Russian mercenaries near the town of Hirske in Luhansk Oblast had built a "Wagner Line" less than two kilometers long. These are fortifications in the form of cement pyramids, which the Russians hope will stop Ukrainian military vehicles and tanks from advancing.
At the same time, CNN notes that although the fortifications can help protect against a frontal attack, there is nothing preventing Ukrainian troops from simply bypassing the fortifications.
A report by the UK Ministry of Defense says that the construction of the "Wagner Line" indicates that the Russian troops are preparing for defense in depth along the current front line.
This is likely to hinder the rapid advance of the Ukrainian military in Luhansk Oblast, UK intelligence said.
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