<
https://theconversation.com/forcing-zelensky-to-hand-putin-ukraines-fortress-belt-in-donetsk-will-lose-it-the-war-263980>
"In the recent summit talks in Alaska designed to halt the Russia-Ukraine war,
Vladimir Putin demanded that Kyiv cede control of the entirety of its Donetsk
oblast (region) to Russia. But this would effectively be tantamount to an
acceptance of overall defeat for Ukraine.
In giving up this region, Kyiv would also be giving up its principal defensive
barrier against further Russian encroachment into the whole of Ukraine – that
is, it will lose its “fortress belt”. This is the name given (by the Russians
themselves) to a series of fortified Ukrainian-held cities, towns and
settlements in the west of the Donetsk region. This belt roughly links the city
of Slovyansk in the north to Kostyantynivka, some 50 km to the south.
The current situation on the battlefield needs to be viewed with a certain
context in mind – that of geography. The state that we now call Russia (which
has included Ukraine for much of its existence) has been subject to many
invasions throughout its long history. Foreign invaders – whether coming from
the east, south or west – were generally able to make rapid initial progress in
their invasions, not least because Russia had few natural barriers that could
act as defensive lines.
In particular, the open steppe lands, lacking hilly or mountainous terrain,
have represented an open invitation to invaders. This issue still pertains. But
today, ironically, these largely indefensible steppe lands are Ukrainian
territory that is under threat from Russian forces.
In light of this, Kyiv cannot rely on terrain to form defensive lines. It has
to rely on creating urban barriers. Towns and cities are notoriously difficult
to capture or to fight through. Buildings, especially large ones, provide ideal
cover and fire points for defenders. Getting into urban areas is difficult
because of the channelling effect of the road systems. Obvious routes can be
well defended with mines, obstacles and covering fire. Rubble also makes
movement difficult. Urban scenarios very much favour the defender."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
