Over recent weeks, Russia has continued to expend significant effort building defensive lines deep in rear areas, especially on the approaches to occupied Crimea in southern Ukraine, UK Intelligence reported in its daily update on the Russo-Ukrainian war on 21 June 2023.
While heavy fighting is underway in southern Ukraine, Russian military command is strengthening defensive lines around occupied Crimea. This includes an extensive zone of defenses of 9 kilometers in length, 3,5 kilometers north of the town Armyansk, on the narrow bridge of land connecting Crimea to the Kherson Oblast, UK Intelligence reported.
Credit: UK Ministry of Defence via Twitter.
According to UK Intelligence, the defensive lines in and around Crimea highlight the Russian command's assessment that Ukraine's Armed Forces are capable of directly assaulting the occupied peninsula.
Credit: UK Ministry of Defence via Twitter.
Russia continues to see control of Crimea as its "top political priority," UK Intelligence concluded.
Related:
- Ukraine conducts offensive operations in three sectors, makes gains - ISW
- Ukraine's defense minister warns against unrealistic expectations for Ukraine's counteroffensive
- UK moves to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild - NYT
- Attrition of Russian artillery among current priorities as Ukraine has "certain advances" in south and near Bakhmut - officials
Read Also
-
Russia’s 6-day attack on Kyiv that started two days after CIA head’s visit to Moscow, culminates with massive ballistic missile strike on eve of school year
-
Ukrainian company builds single device that detects FPV drone, reads its video feed, and jams it
-
800 jet drones in four days: Russia is now firing type Ukraine’s interceptors cannot catch
