Russia Ukraine war, page-217601

"A deputy infantry commander fighting near Avdiivka explained that the defensive line needed to be built last year during Ukraine’s offensive. "There was an absence of responsibility. … People didn’t understand that fortifications can save your life if you do it in advance," he stated."Many people thought we … wouldn’t need to prepare such lines. They didn’t expect a new Russian offensive."

Last summer, at Washington’s insistence, Kiev launched a counteroffensive that failed to retake much territory due to deeply entrenched Russian defensive lines. Ukraine lost a significant number of troops and military equipment during the failed assault.

The AP notes that "Ukraine’s lack of adequate defensive lines has helped Russia make significant military gains, and constant enemy fire hinders building."

In a Telegram post on Sunday, Kiev’s Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said the situation at the front had "escalated," adding, "Trying to seize the strategic initiative and break through the front line, the enemy hasconcentrated its main efforts in several directions, creating a significant advantage in forces and in means."

In the battle for Chasiv Yar, a city in Donetsk, a Ukrainian soldier said the lack of fortified positions allowed Russian forces to prevail, with over 100 men killed or missing after a major withdrawal from the area.

"We lost department commanders, platoon commanders, company commanders, and sergeants. That is, we lost the entire skeleton of the brigade," the soldier explained to the AP."
Ukraine Struggles To Build New Defensive Lines As Its Forces Retreat | ZeroHedge