Russia continues to construct WWII-style defensive positions prioritizing area of Luhansk’s Svatove – British intel

According to the British Defense Ministry's December 16 intelligence update, Russian forces continue to construct extensive defensive positions following the WWII-times military plans for entrenchment which would make such defenses vulnerable to precision indirect strikes. The northern sector around the town of Svatove, Luhansk Oblast, is likely prioritized, according to the report.

The ministry tweeted:

• "As shown by imagery, in recent weeks, Russian forces have continued to expend considerable effort to construct extensive defensive positions along the front line. They have likely prioritised the northern sector around the town of Svatove."
• "The Russian constructions follow traditional military plans for entrenchment, largely unchanged since the Second World War. Such constructions are likely to be vulnerable to modern, precision indirect strikes."
• "The construction of major defensive lines is further illustration of Russia’s reversion to positional warfare that has been largely abandoned by most modern Western militaries in recent decades."

Read also:

Russia sees prospect of Ukrainian offensive across Dnipro as serious threat – ISW

Russians in occupied Crimea are preparing to prevent landing of Ukrainian troops – Defense Intelligence

Russia creates defensive lines to repel Ukrainian counteroffensive in southern Ukraine, Crimea included

Russia is creating a tiered defense in Kherson Oblast and fortifying Mariupol