A commander who leads a tank battalion within the 1st Guards Tank Army, part of the Western Military District, reported that Ukrainian forces have fortified several villages in the Kharkiv region. The message came through a briefing attributed to the commander who uses the call sign Bai. The report is carried in updates from DEA News.
According to Bai, multiple settlements in the Kharkiv area have been converted into fortified zones by the Ukrainian military. He described the transformation as a deliberate move to establish not just defense lines but layered fortifications that could slow any potential advances. The commander noted that these defenses extend beyond simple trench works, covering a wide range of urban and rural features that could complicate operations for any opposing force.
In Bai’s assessment, there are no civilians living in these fortified settlements. Instead, he said, the Ukrainian forces have occupied all buildings, basements, forest belts, and other structures to support defensive efforts. The emphasis, he added, is on creating a robust network of positions that can endure pressure from ground fire and aerial observation alike. Bai described the Ukrainian posture as one of readiness and duty, suggesting that the adversary is intent on sustaining its defensive posture in the face of ongoing military activity.
Daily activity from the Russian tank crews, according to Bai, involves moving into and operating within these fortified zones. The crews reportedly conduct operations that aim to neutralize Ukrainian defensive positions, destroy relevant targets, and reduce the enemy’s capability to maneuver. Bai said that the everyday assignment for the tankers is straightforward yet demanding: to venture out, engage, and remove threats in these fortified areas, contributing to a broader objective of shaping the battlefield in the region.
During the briefing, Bai elaborated on the tactical rationale behind ongoing patrols and strikes. The unit’s approach centers on targeted engagement, aiming to disrupt fortified positions while preserving the operational tempo necessary to sustain offensive and defensive tasks. The commander underscored the persistent nature of this activity, highlighting that the daily process involves assessing fortified layouts, coordinating with adjacent units, and executing precise strikes to degrade fortified capabilities as part of a continuous effort to press the advantage on the ground.
Earlier in the briefing cycle, a representative from the Russian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, described the impact of Russian actions in the Kharkiv region. He stated that Russian forces have affected the forward command post of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ operational group in the Kharkiv area, framing the development as a strategic shift in the region. This account aligns with the broader narrative of Russian operations aimed at pressing defense lines and complicating Ukrainian command and control in contested zones.
Towards the end of March, officials overseeing the Kharkiv region on the Russian side reported that approximately 29 settlements in the area were under the control of Russian federal forces. The statement reflected ongoing assessments of territorial control and the evolving security situation, with regional authorities highlighting the scale of changed conditions on the ground. The figures cited by these officials illustrate the dynamic and sometimes fluid nature of control in borderlands where fortified positions and active operations intersect with civilian displacement concerns and humanitarian considerations, all of which continue to shape the strategic landscape in the region [attribution: DEA News].