In Ukraine, the Russians mined an area six times the size of Belgium.

With an enormous arsenal in this area, the Russians cut into Ukrainian territory at a scale and density never seen before. According to Western staff, about 170,000 square kilometers are now covered by anti-tank or anti-personnel devices, equivalent to nearly six times the area of ​​Belgium. But not all of them were planted by Russians. “The Ukrainians had it [aussi] Put a lot before the war, especially in Donbass »The two militants have been at loggerheads since 2014, according to a French military source.

The tunnels, located along Russian reinforced lines, are feared by Ukrainian armored vehicles, especially in the south of the country, which have been involved in various attacks since early June. Different videos posted on Russian social media showed Cheetah 2 tanks or Bradley armored infantry fighting vehicles standing still in the middle of fields, their tracks strewn around them. A sign that these tanks probably jumped the mines.

“Images of abandoned Western vehicles show open hatches and no fire. This means many operators would have survived and only a lot of equipment would have been damaged.In a note published on Tuesday, June 13, in a special blog, military adviser Stephen Atrant estimated. Belle Theatre. According to the Oryx site, which compiles the losses of the two fighters based on visual evidence, of the 109 supplied by the Westerners, at least sixteen Bradley infantry fighting tanks were lost by the Ukrainians, as well as four Leopard 2 heavy tanks and two AMX-10 RC light tanks.

“Under Russian Artillery Attack”

Beyond their numbers, the way the Russians use their mines challenges Western military circles. Contrary to popular belief, a mine is not intended to prevent vehicles from passing, but to add them to an area where they can be destroyed. “An obstacle must be attacked by fire to be capable of launching anti-tank missiles or artillery shells at troops trapped in mines”A French military source explains.

However, Moscow troops are proving to be competent in this area. “On several occasions Russian forward positions appear to have been forced out in the face of massive attack, which is correct. These positions, captured by the Ukrainians after demining, were later taken under fire from Russian artillery and rocket launchers.Stephen Audrant notes.

In this article you should read 47.44%. The following is for subscribers only.