Russia is strengthening its defense lines in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to prevent a rapid advance of Ukrainian troops in the event of a breakthrough, according to a British intelligence report published on Tuesday by the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter.

Russia has begun building defenses around Mariupol, which it has occupied for months in southern Ukraine. To do this, two factories produce reinforced concrete pyramidal anti-tank structures, known as “dragon’s teeth”.

According to British intelligence, these fortifications are likely to be installed between Mariupol and the village of Nikolskoye and from the north of Mariupol to the village of Stary Krym, on the border with Crimea. Mariupol is part of Russia’s land bridge with Crimea.

In addition, anti-tank materials were sent to prepare defensive fortifications in occupied Kherson and Zaporozhye.

The latest military intelligence report on the situation in Ukraine is November 8, 2022.

Learn more about the UK government’s response: https://t.co/fECg067PQk

🇺🇦 #StopWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/QiRcrykcmd

— Department of Defense 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 8, 2022

Russia is strengthening its positions in the occupied territories. On October 19, the head of the military company of Wagner mercenaries, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced the construction of a fortified “Wagner Line” in the Lugansk region temporarily held by Russia.

As noted by British services, all this activity indicates that Russia is making significant efforts to prepare its defense in depth behind the current front, apparently in order to counter any rapid Ukrainian advance.

Source: UK Ministry of Defense, Ukrinform.