Ukraine troops dig in for drawn-out defensive fight

2,000km of defensive lines being built to make up for lack of ammunition, manpower

PARIS Ukrainian forces facing a lack of munitions and manpower are digging in to resist Russian attack, mirroring the invaders' strategy and showing Kyiv expects a drawn-out war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that Kyiv's troops were in an "ongoing process" of building around 2,000km of defensive lines.

The works included "anti-tank dragon's teeth and ditches, infantry trenches, minefields and fortified defensive positions", Britain's Defence Ministry said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"The establishment of major defensive positions is indicative of the attritional character of the conflict... Any attempt to conduct breaching operations will likely be accompanied with high losses," it added.

Built in 2023, Russia's so-called "Surovikin Line" on occupied Ukrainian soil stalled Kyiv's counteroffensive with its three-layered defence in depth.

Such barriers are designed both to wear down enemy forces and prevent them from holding ground even if they succeed in breaking through.

Ukraine's version may be less elaborate and deep, but is needed to compensate for its ammunition shortage.