BBC Verify reveals the extensive fortifications and trenches built by Russia in southern Ukraine as it braces for a major Ukrainian counter-attack. Russia has been busy building defences in southern Ukraine as it anticipates a fierce Ukrainian counter-attack, according to satellite analysis by BBC Verify.

The satellite images, taken between October 2022 and March 2023, reveal various key points where Russia has installed defence structures such as “dragon’s teeth”, bunkers and anti-tank ditches. These locations offer a glimpse into what Russia expects from the counter-offensive, and what obstacles Ukrainian forces might face. One of the locations is Crimea’s west coast, where Russia has seized a beach resort and turned it into a fortified zone.

The coastline stretching for 15 miles (25km) is dotted with concrete blocks along the shore, designed to block the path of tanks and other military vehicles. Behind them is a line of trenches, providing cover from incoming attacks. Several bunkers can also be spotted along the trenches. Another location is Tokmak, a small city on a key route that Ukrainian forces may want to use to cut off Crimea from other Russian-held territories. There have been reports that Ukrainian civilians have been moved out in order to turn the city into a military fortress. The satellite images show that Russia has dug a network of trenches around the city, as well as along the main road leading to Crimea.

The trenches are also connected to nearby villages and farms, creating a defensive perimeter. A third location is Mariupol, a strategic port city on the Sea of Azov that is under Ukrainian control but surrounded by Russian-backed separatists. The satellite images show that Russia has built several fortifications on the outskirts of Mariupol, including bunkers, trenches and anti-tank barriers. A fourth location is Kherson, a city on the border with Crimea that is also under Ukrainian control but vulnerable to Russian attacks.

The satellite images show that Russia has built several defence structures near Kherson, including dragon’s teeth, trenches and bunkers. The satellite analysis by BBC Verify is based on work by open-source analyst Brady Africk, who has identified hundreds of trench locations from videos on social media.

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