Fortifications were completely absent in the areas of the Russian offensive in Sumy region: DeepState
Satellite images show the complete absence of engineering and fortification structures in the Zhuravka – Novenke – Basivka section to Khotyn and Yunakivka in the Sumy Oblast. That is why the Russian forces are putting pressure on this direction, actively using infantry. About this reported analysts of the DeepState project.
In the fall of 2024, analysts personally visited Sumy Oblast and found that most of the structures were rather symbolic: trenches and underground points, sometimes covered by netting from FPV drones, but without proper engineering barriers. Fortifications are mainly located 20-25 km from the state border, that is, in the depths of the territory.
“On the one hand, you can see underground strongholds and trenches, which are covered with a net against FPV drones. But the engineering barriers, which are an effective factor in deterring the enemy, were neglected at that time, and if you compare it with the same Dnipro region, then just a row of “dragon’s teeth” in the field is too simple and cheap. According to some fighters, now, sounding the alarm, they are trying to strengthen this line, but we have no confirmation of this yet.” – notes the project.
As an illustration, DeepState provided a picture from April 25, 2025, which shows the absence of defensive structures on the Zhuravka – Novenke – Basivka section up to the Khotyn – Pysarivka – Kiyanytsia – Khrapivshchyna – Yunakivka line.
These data are also confirmed by the military: defensive points on this line were created by the fighters themselves and were designed only to hold certain positions. At the same time, there was no mining of territories that could serve as effective traps for enemy infantry and equipment. As noted, the units themselves were engaged in mining after the beginning of the escalation.
“This could also be seen in public footage during the enemy’s advances near the border. Unfortunately, even engineering barriers in the form of anti-tank ditches, tetrahedrons (aka “dragon’s teeth”), egos, etc., were not built. – noted in DeepState.
Experts explain the weak fortification of the border zone by the constant presence of enemy drones, in particular “Lancets” and other UAVs, which destroyed equipment on approaches. However, as the fighters emphasize, this would not be a critical factor: in other regions with similar threats, it was possible to build engineering structures.
“In conclusion, we can say that public indignation regarding the construction of the IFS in Sumy Oblast is completely justified and logical. These problems cast a shadow over the successful results of defense construction in other areas, and also continue to instill public distrust in these processes. So, it is worth paying attention to Sumy Oblast, because now it is one of the direct consequences of what happened. But we also want to note that this is not the main and not the only problem, there are also difficulties with by people, and we have repeatedly written about this with means of destruction, in particular, with FPV drones on fiber optics”, – summarizes DeepState.
