The MoD’s latest update came as Ukraine’s prime minister Denys Shmyhal said on Tuesday he saw no need at present to evacuate Kyiv or any other cities that are not near the front lines in the war against Russia. “The big question in Ukraine is whether these obstacles have been designed and placed primarily for their military effect, or if they are purely there for a political narrative back in Russia.” An important point to note is that given the coming influx into Ukraine of large numbers of poorly trained, recently mobilised troops, the Russians probably believe they can substitute training for physical obstacles on the battlefield,” he tweeted. “First, the construction on these obstacle belts demonstrates the political importance of the areas where they are being installed. This tells us a few things - a thread on the political and military utility of these obstacles. Retired Australian general Mick Ryan said the increasing Russian efforts to place obstacle barriers could reflect both military and domestic political needs.Īgain we see reports of more extensive obstacle belts being constructed by the Russians in occupied #Ukraine. Their deployment is part of the toolkit of many militaries, and experts point out that for them to be useful requires skilful placement of the barriers, as well as both effective observation and placement of artillery systems to guard them. Typically used in conjunction with natural features, obstacle barriers are used to slow and block approaching enemy forces, and redirect them towards locations where they can be engaged. “Geolocated satellite imagery from 29 October, 3 November and 4 November shows Russian defensive lines in Kakhovka, 43 miles (70km) east of Kherson city, Hola Prystan, 5 miles south-west of Kherson city, and Ivanivka, 37 miles south-west of Kherson city – all of which lie on the east bank of the Dneiper River,” it said. The Institute for the Study of War thinktank also noted the continuing efforts by Russia to improve its defences in the south.

“This activity suggests Russia is making a significant effort to prepare defences in depth behind their current frontline, likely to forestall any rapid Ukrainian advances in the event of breakthroughs.”

Russian military tank modern