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https://theconversation.com/trump-wants-ukraine-to-give-up-the-donbas-in-return-for-security-guarantees-it-could-be-fatal-for-kyiv-274779>
"There is a major sticking point often overlooked in the ceasefire negotiations
between Ukraine and Russia currently being held in Abu Dhabi. This relates to
the fact that, as part of any agreement, Kyiv is being asked to give up the
entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.
If it does so, it will also be giving up the strategic positions that have
prevented major advances by the Russian military for many months now. This is
the significant line of defensive fortifications across the Donbas, known as
the “Donbas line”. It’s Ukraine’s equivalent to the Maginot line of forts which
were France’s main line of defence against Germany before the second world war.
The “Anchorage formula” agreed by the US president, Donald Trump, and Russia
president, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska late last year calls for Ukrainian forces
to abandon the areas of western Donbas they currently hold. Washington is now
talking up the idea of establishing a “free economic zone” or “de-militarised
zone” which would cover the whole of the Donbas, including those portions
currently occupied by Russian forces.
This would mean Ukraine abandoning the Donbas line. The system integrates at
least seven distinct defensive layers that any attacking force must penetrate
sequentially to achieve effect.
These include minefields, anti-tank ditches, anti-tank obstacles (“dragons’
teeth”), bunkers, trench lines and anti-drone defences. Such obstacles can
either physically halt assaulting Russian forces or “canalise” them into swampy
or otherwise impassible ground or into pre-arranged kill zones, wherein fires
(mortar and artillery) can be used to destroy Russian formations.
One of the most critical lines runs through the embattled town of Pokrovsk,
which has been under constant Russian assault since early 2025. Lose Pokrovsk
and the Ukrainians will then more than likely also lose the important city of
Donetsk. Thus Pokrovsk has been referred to as the “gateway to Donetsk”.
The Donbas line took years to build and to perfect. It is very sophisticated.
It would be a massive strategic blow for the Ukrainians if they were forced to
give it up and pull back.
In essence, the Russian demand that Ukrainian forces vacate the western Donbas
can also be seen as a demand that they likewise give up, in the shape of this
Donbas line, their one true means of protecting not only the western Donbas but
also, arguably, the whole of the rest of Ukraine."
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
