Denys Shmyhal inspects fortification construction in the Zaporizhzhia sector
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, inspected fortification construction under the responsibility of the State Special Transport Service.
Specifically, he inspected engineering obstacle systems built by the State Special Transport Service, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies.
According to a briefing by the Head of the State Special Transport Service, Major General Oleksandr Yakovets, construction of strongpoints and pyramidal anti-tank obstacles in the Zaporizhzhia sector was completed in full in 2025. In addition, 255 km of belts of non-explosive obstacles, 340 km of anti-tank ditches, more than 2.1 km of the ‘Yegoza’ concertina-wire barrier line, and 277 km of low-visibility wire obstacles were constructed.
“Construction is progressing at a high pace. At the same time, I have set the task of accelerating the construction and reinforcement of fortifications in 2026. I thank everyone working to strengthen our defense capabilities and everyone defending our country,” Denys Shmyhal stated.
He emphasized that fortification works are ongoing across all frontline regions. The Minister of Defence also heard a briefing from the Head of the State Special Transport Service on the construction of fortifications in the Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions.
The State Special Transport Service has already constructed 2,130 platoon strong points, over 3,000 km of anti-tank trenches, more than 1,000 km of pyramidal anti-tank obstacles, 16,000 km of ‘Yegoza’ concertina-wire barrier lines, and 4,300 km of low-visibility wire obstacles.
“I thank the State Special Transport Service for its coordinated efforts. We must further step up the pace of fortification construction and enhance construction technologies, as this constitutes a critical line of Ukraine’s defense capability,” the Minister of Defence concluded.
