General Syrotenko: Enemy suffers greatest losses from engineering obstacles after unmanned systems
Engineering obstacles are one of the key factors in defeating the enemy on the battlefield.
This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Brigadier General Vasyl Syrotenko, Chief of the Engineering Troops of the Support Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Previously, the entire system of engineering obstacles was aimed primarily at creating favorable conditions for inflicting fire damage on the enemy. Today, however, engineering obstacles—as a continuous, multi-layered line that cannot be breached immediately—are already one of the main factors in defeating the enemy on the battlefield. In other words, favorable conditions are created for other units carrying out strikes against the enemy,” Syrotenko noted.
At the same time, he said, the engineering obstacles themselves increase the effectiveness of neutralizing the enemy.
“Engineering obstacles themselves play an equally important role, increasing the kill ratio. The enemy often stops, becomes disoriented, and gets lost in them, and not only is unable to move forward but also suffers casualties directly at these lines,” Syrotenko noted.
In addition, he said, the obstacles have a significant psychological impact, creating a sense of constant danger, uncertainty, and loss of control over the situation, which reduces the enemy’s pace of action, initiative, and the morale and psychological state of its personnel.
“As a result, the enemy is forced to change plans, spend additional resources on reconnaissance and overcoming obstacles, or seek detours, which allows us to impose an unfavorable scenario of operations on them. Therefore, engineering obstacles are now viewed as a full-fledged factor in defeating the enemy, rather than merely as a supporting system that creates conditions,” noted Syrotenko.
According to him, today the enemy suffers its greatest losses—after unmanned systems—precisely at engineering obstacles.
“They not only stop but also defeat the enemy, who gets lost in these obstacles, cannot move, and is blown up by engineering munitions. Thus, on average, up to a thousand occupiers are eliminated each month at the engineering obstacles built by the engineering troops,” the general noted.
As reported, the Support Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released a video of engineering barriers that are inflicting significant losses on the enemy.
Photo: Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine