Why Ukraine Easily Breached Russia's $100MM Belgorod Dragons Teeth Barrier

Pyramidal-shaped concrete anti-tank barriers can be effective in certain situations but they are not universally breach-proof as Ukraine's assault in Belgorod oblast has demonstrated. 

The winter ground conditions in which Ukraine attacked can make the barriers easier to uproot with armored bulldozers and similar  breaching vehicles. It is also important not to rely exclusively on the barriers by having infantry and artillery in support when an enemy assaults, which the Russians did not because they were relying on the barriers to substitute for their shortage of troops and artillery. JL

Isabel Van Brugen reports in Newsweek:

Ukraine's tanks effortlessly rolling through Russia's anti-tank concrete pyramids, known as "dragon's teeth," estimated to have cost Moscow $100 million in the Belgorod region. The barriers can be overcome by high-explosive anti-tank rounds to blast through the barriers or combat engineers using explosives. Armored bulldozers or similar engineering vehicles can also be used to push the barriers aside. In winter, the ground can freeze, making the barriers less effective as they may slide out of the way. The effectiveness of these barriers also depends on whether they are manned properly and complemented by artillery fire and reserves.

A video released by Ukraine shows its military's tanks effortlessly rolling through Russia's anti-tank concrete pyramids, known as "dragon's teeth," estimated to have cost Moscow roughly $100 million.

The footage appears to show Ukrainian military's armored vehicles driving through the defensive structures in Russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, and has been subject to frequent attacks throughout the war.

The development suggests that the defensive barriers, which Russia poured a significant sum of money into, are ineffective in protecting the region from cross-border insurgence.While Russia's deployment of "dragon's teeth" anti-tank barriers in the Ukraine war zone aims to hinder Ukrainian advances, these barriers are not insurmountable and can be overcome through various tactics

 Vulnerability of the Barriers:

• • Breaching: Ukrainian forces can use high-explosive anti-tank rounds to blast through the barriers or employ combat engineers to remove them using explosives. 
  • Armored Bulldozers: Armored bulldozers or similar engineering vehicles can also be used to push the barriers aside. 
  • Winter Conditions: In winter, the ground can freeze, potentially making the barriers less effective as they may slide out of the way instead of digging into the soil. 
• Beyond the Barriers:

  The effectiveness of these barriers depends on whether they are manned properly and complemented by other defensive measures like artillery fire and reserve maneuvers. 

 

Dragon's teeth, first used during World War II, are made of reinforced concrete and are used to impede the advances of tanks and mechanized infantry.

The video was released by Ukrainian soldiers of the 225th Assault Regiment on Telegram on Wednesday.

The regiment said that the Russian military erected the barrier following a Ukrainian incursion in the nearby Russian Kursk region.

"They strengthened all borders to prevent a second breakthrough elsewhere," the Telegram post said, claiming that Russia spent "over 10 billion rubles on 'modern and reliable fortifications'."

 

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially confirmed for the first time in the conflict that Ukrainian troops were operating in Russia's Belgorod region. Ukrainian troops had been operating in the area for a long time, but Ukraine hadn't confirmed their presence on Russian soil.

 

The Ukrainian leader said it was "fair" to bring the conflict back to where it was launched.

"We continue to conduct active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and this is absolutely fair - the war must return to where it came from," Zelensky said in a nightly video address to the nation.

Jürgen Nauditt, a pro-Ukraine user, wrote on X: "Russia is a strong fortress – one you can simply drive into. After the Ukrainian operation in Kursk, the russians drew 'conclusions': They reinforced all borders to prevent a second breakthrough elsewhere. In the Belgorod region, more than 10 billion rubles were spent on 'modern and reliable fortifications'... Ukrainian tanks simply drive through."

Zelensky has warned that Putin is preparing to launch a fresh offensive this spring, targeting Ukraine's northern and north-eastern regions. He noted that this offensive had been delayed for eight months, partly due to Kyiv's incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine.

"We must look at the situation with our eyes wide-open. Putin is preparing a new offensive, particularly in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts," he said in an interview with Le Figaro published March 26. "I can confirm that Putin is trying to get time and is preparing for a spring offensive. We see preparations for this upcoming operation."