Russia fortifies Crimea amid intensified Ukrainian attacks

The Russians have taken further steps to bolster Crimea's defence. On the peninsula they have occupied, the military is conducting extensive tree felling to construct fortifications.

In the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Russians are engaging in additional measures essential for strengthening the defence. Recently, they have been cutting down trees for the construction of fortifications.

"In Crimea, the occupiers have begun massive tree felling for the construction of fortifications on the peninsula's coast," says the local resistance movement "Yellow Ribbon" on social media.

Local media reports that residents frequently observe trucks transporting logs towards the occupiers' positions. "The Russians are panicking about a potential landing of Ukrainian troops and are attempting to reinforce their positions at all costs," assess resistance movement activists.

Earlier, the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform reported that the Russians have already built over 100 kilometres of fortifications on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea.

The Russians admit that Ukrainian attacks on Crimea have intensified. According to Ukrainian data, around fifteen S-300 and S-400 air defence systems were damaged in Crimea from mid-April to mid-June.

Experts point out that Ukraine is implementing a new tactic. With the help of American ATACMS long-range missiles, they are destroying Russian air defences. This campaign aims to create safe air corridors for F-16 aircraft - assesses Philip O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews in Edinburgh.