Sep 20 — Russia actively builds defensive fortifications around Belrogod and mines general- and special purpose hydraulic structures, reported Vitalii Sarantsev, a spokesman for the “Kharkiv” group of forces that operates in Kharkiv Oblast, on September 19. 

Belgorod Oblast is a Russian region that borders most of Kharkiv Oblast. Russians attack Kharkiv and the region with ballistic missiles and glide bombs from their territory there often. 

Sarantsev noted that one can view these actions of Russia as a “bookmark” for the future. 

“[They might be preparing for a case, in which], for instance, the situation suddenly changes, and the Russians would have to blow up dams to slow down the advance of Ukraine’s defense forces.”

Or, Sarantsev said, one can assume that Russians are readying themselves for provocations on hydraulic structures “to accuse Ukraine of ecological and humanitarian ramifications.” 

Sarantsev also noted that such actions can be used to mobilize the population and distract their attention from internal problems, adding that blowing up dams can lead to floods, flooded settlements, and ecological catastrophes. 

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