Ukraine is building a multi-layered defense system around Odesa, Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces “South” said.
The military on Monday said engineering works are underway along the city’s perimeter, including anti-tank ditches, dugouts, barbed wire and “dragon’s teeth” – concrete barriers designed to stop armored vehicles.
According to the post on Facebook, the construction is part of long-term defense planning and not linked to any immediate threat.
In February, regional Territorial Defense head Denys Nosikov said the project would include mobile fire groups, interceptor crews and a network of fortifications.
“Nobody will just come here. It will be simply impossible,” he reported.
Nosikov said the system is designed to strengthen defenses across the region, though specific details were not disclosed.
Authorities are also expanding territorial defense units, including local volunteers who may assist in defending the city if needed.
Ukrainian officials have previously said coastal defenses in the region have been reinforced.
Following this, Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said in June last year that a large-scale amphibious assault on Odesa was unlikely.
“In principle, they cannot come closer than 100 nautical miles to our coast. There are Navy missile units waiting for them here,” he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia considers Odesa a strategic target and continues to plan operations in southern Ukraine, according to TSN.
Earlier, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa said Russia aims to capture areas along the Black Sea coast, including Odesa and Mykolaiv.