Ukraine Builds New Defensive Line 20km Behind Front to Fend Off Russian Advances

The Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) are constructing a fortified defense line roughly 20 kilometers behind the current front, stretching from Kharkiv to Ukrainian-held parts of Zaporizhzhia, Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) publication said citing open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts. According to the report, AFU Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi is facing shrinking room for maneuver due to a growing shortage of troops and weapons. NZZ attributes this worsening situation to diminishing Ukrainian resources and the uncertain pace of Western military support. Two Scenarios to Avoid Defeat Journalists at NZZ outlined two strategic options now under discussion in Kyiv: