Is there protection for Dnipro? A parliament member explains why Ukraine built inadequate fortifications (video).
Fortifications in Ukraine have been constructed over the last three months by a specialized Ministry of Defense institution, led by an active general. Additionally, this issue has been organized by a special commission of the Verkhovna Rada. Previously, the situation with fortifications was problematic due to a lack of centralized management. Regarding the status of defensive structures, people's deputy from "Batkivshchyna" Mikhail Tsymbalyuk shared insights during a broadcast on the "Kyiv 24" channel.
Tsymbalyuk discussed the work of a temporary investigative commission that examined the situation with fortifications in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The alarm about the defense line arose due to the Russian offensive on Pokrovsk and the advancing Russian forces toward the administrative borders of the Donetsk region. The politician explained why there were previously issues with constructing the defense line and why these problems would not persist. One of the reasons is that individual territorial communities had been handling this task for nearly three years, hiring commercial contractors without centralized oversight, as noted by the deputy. A second reason was the extensive logistical challenge, as materials were transported from distant parts of Ukraine, such as Lviv. Moreover, civilian workers were engaged in the projects, some of whom lost their lives due to Russian attacks; for instance, there were 20 such cases near Kharkiv, he stated. Additionally, 50 units of equipment were destroyed, for which contractors never received compensation from the state.
"Territorial communities under threat from the enemy utilized transport and civilian resources, constructing without, or rather, not always having a clear understanding of what these fortifications should be like, leading to absurd situations that were unacceptable — constructing fortifications in this manner," emphasized Tsymbalyuk.
According to the deputy, the situation will improve as it will be managed by a single institution — the State Special Transport Service. At the helm of this institution is a professional military officer, a general, Tsymbalyuk highlighted, assuring that everything will be fine now.
"For about three months now, one state structure has been designing, constructing, servicing, and commissioning fortifications. This is the State Special Transport Service, led by a combat general with battle experience," the politician stated.
The State Special Transport Service is a militarized agency within the Ministry of Defense that has been under the ministry's jurisdiction since 2017. Its primary tasks include building barriers on roads, disaster recovery, and other defense-related responsibilities. Since April 2024, this institution has been headed by General Alexander Yakovets, who previously commanded the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Issues with Fortifications — Details
It is noteworthy that in October 2024, volunteer Stanislav "Osman" Bunyatov from the 24th Separate Assault Brigade "Aidar" posted on his Telegram channel that there are no fortifications between the cities of Pokrovsk (Donetsk region) and Pavlograd (Dnipropetrovsk region). According to the military, he observed some unfinished structures — trenches made of a few boards and nothing more. It is crucial to protect a region with a lot of open space, where the enemy can easily maneuver. Following this, Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council Chairman Nikolai Lukashuk commented that there is no need for concern, assuring that everything will be completed on time.
Meanwhile, on December 10, an article from the Financial Times reported on the embezzlement of 20 billion UAH in the construction of fortifications in Ukraine.
We remind you that on January 24, a military expert described the situation in Pokrovsk and speculated on what the plan of the Russian Armed Forces might be for further advancement towards Dnipro.