in the South, the Russians try to maintain their position

In southern Ukraine, a huge network of fortifications was built by the Russians. Each time, the pattern is the same: three rows of triangular blocks, nicknamed the teeth of dragons; and beyond, a wide trench. These lines of defense are repeated four or five times a few kilometers apart. The Russians have a front of 1,200 km to defend.

Doubt is not allowed for Russian soldiers

This area in the south is crucial, but the Russian soldiers must defend it without depleting the troops in the Donbass further north. On the front, they continue to shell the Ukrainian positions. They know that the Ukrainians opposite have received more modern weapons, but they are far from admitting defeat, although their guns are of Soviet design. “In front of Western journalists, there is no question of expressing the slightest doubt. The speech is to say that Russia will win, whatever it takes“summarizes the journalist Luc Lacroix, special envoy in the zone controlled by the Russians.