 Ukraine is building its Sorovkin line to counter Russian offensives. Ukraine has created over 965km of new fortifications along the front line, reports the British newspaper The Telegram. These include trenches, concrete, dragon's teeth, tank traps and underground command centres. The large-scale construction of new defensive lines marks a shift from promises of a major offensive in 2023 to a strategy of active defence in 2024. The new fortifications are located in the Dnetsk Oblast near the towns of Lyman and Avdivka in Kharkiv Oblast near Kupyansk and in the north along the Russian and Belarusian borders. Kyiv has boosted its defences in the north by 63% according to a Reuters report. The telegraph notes Ukraine's new defences closely resemble Russia's so-called Sorovkin line, a three-layered system of trenches, traps and strong points that successfully blunted Ukraine's counter offensive. Kyiv has replicated the minefields that inflicted damage on NATO-trained brigades with Western tanks and armoured vehicles. This is part of the tactics of active defence, the transition to which was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the end of 2023. Ukrainians are especially active in strengthening their rear in the areas of Lyman, Avdivka and Kupyansk where the Russian army is actively advancing. Powerful defensive lines can be created around Chernigov but it is not expected that this will become a new front. By emulating these Russian defences, Ukraine aims to stop further territorial losses while preparing its forces for future counterattacks to liberate occupied regions.