Concrete gouges: an old tool in modern conditions

Engineering barriers in the Belgorod region, December 2022. Photo by Telegram / "Real Gladkov"

In the border areas, as well as in new regions, construction of various engineering barriers has been carried out since last year to deter the enemy. For a number of reasons, the so-called "notch line" or "Wagner Line" in the Belgorod region. Such barriers are built on the basis of various components and means. In particular, anti-tank gouges are widely used.

Engineering barrier system

The deployment of engineering barriers of various classes in the combat zone begins almost immediately after the territory is taken under control. Trenching is carried out, barbed wire / Bruno spirals are installed, minefields are created, etc. According to reports, advanced systems of engineering barriers (PPE) now cover the positions of our troops in all new regions.

In the fall of 2022, in order to avoid various actions by the Kyiv regime, it was decided to deploy similar PPE along the “old” border. The construction of such facilities in the Belgorod region received wide coverage. This system was nicknamed "notch line" or "Wagner Line". The main work was completed in the winter.

As the leadership of the Belgorod region showed, anti-tank ditches, concrete pyramids, barbed wire, etc. appeared in dangerous areas. Apparently, this PPE also included other means of various kinds, which, for obvious reasons, they decided not to report.

For greater complexity, the barriers are connected by cables. Photo Telegram / "Real Gladkov"

The experience of recent months has shown that the notch line as a whole solves its problem. The enemy does not show noticeable activity on the covered sections of the border. The fact is that the barriers seriously impair the possibilities for various sorties and actions. Sabotage groups on armored vehicles are now unable to cross the border in arbitrary places.

Attempts to penetrate our territory through the remaining sections are completed in a known way. Several groups have already been stopped and destroyed in the border areas.

"Dragon Teeth"

As part of the PPE under construction, various means are used, incl. gouges, also known by the informal name "dragon teeth". These products, for all their simplicity, are capable of making a significant contribution to providing defense and deterring the enemy. At the same time, the best results are obtained by using them together with other means.

Each gouge is a simple pyramid with a triangular base, made of concrete. The height of such a product is no more than 1-1,2 m. The production of gouges is not difficult and can be quickly deployed at any site. Delivery and installation at a given location is also not associated with any difficulties.

Concrete gouges are installed directly on the ground without any special preparation. Products of optimal height and weight make it difficult or impossible to move wheeled and tracked vehicles. For additional effect and difficulty in dismantling the barriers, the pyramids can be connected to each other with a cable. In addition, they can be additionally covered with barbed wire.

There are wire fences in the gaps between the gouges. Photo Telegram / "Real Gladkov"

Like any other engineering barriers, the lines of gouges and the area in front of them must be covered by machine guns and / or artillery. In the light of current tactics, anti-tank weapons of various kinds, up to missile systems, will also be useful.

The task of the "dragon's teeth", as well as other engineering obstacles, is a kind of control over the movements of the enemy. So, powerful PPE can force him to go on the offensive in a less protected or open area that is already prepared for this. There, enemy forces can meet camouflaged minefields, artillery fire, etc.

In addition, PPE can stop the advance of the enemy. For further movement, he will have to clear the area. At the same time, his sappers will work under fire from means covering the barrier. In addition, stopped troops / forces become an easier target for a wide range of strike assets of the defending side.

Countermeasures and protection

It is obvious that "dragon's teeth", like any other engineering means, are not fundamentally invulnerable and do not provide full protection and guarantees. Over the decades of the existence of such a barrier, methods and means have appeared to deal with it.

Not so long ago, the British Ministry of Defense published a video advertising service in the army. Its "hero" was the Challenger 2 tank with tail number "23A", equipped with a dozer blade. With the help of attachments, tankers filled up a trench, dug a trench, and also moved various obstacles from the road - incl. concrete slabs.

Not only ground obstacles are used, but also ditches. Photo Telegram / "Real Gladkov"

Thanks to the skill of the film crew, this application tank looks spectacular and seems effective. However, on a real battlefield, solving engineering problems will be more complex and risky. So, the barriers presented in the video were organized in the simplest way, and no measures were taken to make dismantling difficult.

In addition, the Challenger-2 with a blade worked at the test site and was not exposed to anti-tank weapons. It is obvious that even one successful hit by an ATGM missile can turn a tank from an engineering barrier vehicle into another obstacle within the PPE.

With all this, it must be taken into account that not all tanks receive engineering equipment. In addition, the number of specialized engineering vehicles in the armored units of the NATO armies is also limited. This means that good fire cover of engineering barriers can prevent the enemy from breaking through, as well as leave him without valuable armored objects. Accordingly, new attempts to break through will also be in question.

topical remedy

Thus, engineering barriers of various kinds, including concrete gouges, still remain a relevant and effective tool for solving their problems. Progress in the field of armored vehicles has practically no effect on their capabilities and potential. At the same time, each of the existing barriers has its own goals and objectives, as well as strengths and weaknesses.

Tank Challenger 2 clears the passage. Frame from the video from the British Ministry of Defense

In particular, "dragon teeth" are notable for their ease of fabrication and deployment. Immediately after installation, they are ready to perform their tasks. A good example of this is the recent construction in the border areas - in a matter of weeks and months, it was possible to close a significant part of the potentially dangerous areas.

In general, we are talking about the fact that our army and other structures have effective means for arranging dangerous directions and deterring the enemy. Using different sets of individual means and combining them in the necessary ways, it is possible to create the most effective barriers under given conditions and provide their cover.

At the moment, gouges and other means are massively deployed on the lines of contact in new regions. It is very likely that they are one of the reasons why the Kyiv formations cannot launch the long-promised offensive. At the same time, similar defense lines are equipped near the Russian-Ukrainian border and perform similar tasks.

Obviously, the use of "teeth" and other engineering barriers will continue. At the same time, the army and other structures do not rely solely on PPE. As a result, all the measures taken and the means used make it possible to stop the advance of the enemy, redirect him to another sector, or completely exclude any activity.

Comments

[Proton]

The main task of these defenses is to slow down the advance of the enemy. The time gained should be used for the approach of reserves and for delivering strikes by artillery and aircraft.
Without cover, such protective bands are a waste of money.
Defense groups from reservists in the field must be created, fully armed and have regular commanders.
That's when these structures will be very useful.

[dementor873]

I think all these ditches were dug out of fear after Kherson, when no one knew what to do: Chief, everything is gone! With such a reaction, as was the case with the penetration of the drg, these gouges will be delayed for half an hour, and then if there is no imr-ki.

[frog]

So why is it a "waste of money"? Not even very empty. And the funds have been spent, and an impressive picture can be shown in a box, practically, like a "flying" tank, hamsters like it ..... Not "Tors" on the roofs to show ...

[barbos]

Do you think all this military landscaping could delay a likely attack by a few hours? Four five hours? Because the last attack on the Belgorod region showed that this is how much time is needed for the reaction of the Moscow Region. At the same time, there is an opinion that such a "prompt response" was due to numerous messages in the cart. This is when the citizens of the country learned about the attack earlier than the military. Maybe telegram bots, not mines, should be screwed to these concrete blocks so that citizens would inform the Ministry of Defense about the offensive?

[Mekey Iptyshev]

It seems to me that if there is no artillery cover and infantry with machine guns. That will take 30 minutes to make a corridor. Diesel or carburetor generator for "grinder", cut off the joints of concrete blocks. Then a bulldozer, or better yet, an excavator, is enough to clear the way. And now the column of armored vehicles will rush into the depths of our defense.
If there is a danger of mines, then gouge "Gorynych" or other similar equipment from NATO.
Infantry, infantry and artillery are the main factor that will stop a breakthrough. Aerial reconnaissance several kilometers deep into the enemy must be constant in order to immediately transfer self-propelled guns and infantry with armored vehicles to the place of probable "construction and dismantling work"

[drone-expert]

The RUSI report (British intelligence) says that the time of our artillery strike, according to the information of our gunner with the Sagittarius complex, is 3-5 minutes. Msta-SM and Tornado-G strike from individual spaced positions. The moat is 6 meters wide and 4 meters deep. Seismic sensors that are often not subject to trawling are used to undermine the sector of simple mines on electric fuses. After the artillery strike, RUSI is expected to lay a minefield anew in the passage of the Agriculture complex from magnetic bottom mines. The Sagittarius complex also transmits aviation targets for dropping planning bombs into the passage.

Up to the pyramids themselves, there is also a "foreground" (fox holes) to block a sudden extension with an attempt to dismantle the barriers immediately. First you need to win the battle with ATGMs and machine gunners in secret, then they will retreat in 1-2 hours to the main line. Behind the pyramids and ditches, about 500 meters away, there are trenches with concrete pillboxes

Would you like to make a passage in such barriers and with such cover?))))

[d.zacharith]

Something like this, only instead of grinders with gas generators there are sappers with explosives

[Lech from Android.]

Quote: Mekey Iptyshev

That will take 30 minutes to make a corridor. Diesel or carburetor generator for "grinder", cut off the joints of concrete blocks. Then a bulldozer, or better yet, an excavator, is enough to clear the way. And now the column of armored vehicles will rush into the depths of our defense.

While they are making passages in the PPE, the enemy will inevitably accumulate in front of them if there are large parts ... which is like death for him.
Small groups will infiltrate, of course, but they do not pose a great danger to the army ... unless, of course, she sleeps on duty.

[-Paul-]

If there is no cover (as stated in the post above), these "teeth" will not play any role. There will be no accumulation, a couple of WRIs and the passages are ready, in ten minutes.
"Dragon's teeth", however, like other engineering barriers (including mines) work only in the complex and under the cover of infantry and artillery.

[Mol_18]

Most likely, equipment will be sent first to break through it, and then the main breakthrough forces.

[barbos]

While they are making passages in the PPE, the enemy will inevitably accumulate in front of them if there are large parts ... which is like death for him.

Well, that's in theory. Let's go back a week and see how it really was? The armed convoy approached the checkpoint completely unhindered. Captured the checkpoint. She quickly entered the area. And no consequences.

[svp67]

And now imagine that under part of the "teeth" there are "gifts", in the form of a pair of TM-62 mines dug to a depth of up to a meter, with a bottom fuse installed in one of them and which is connected to the "tooth" through a three-meter cord. "Panzer with a blade", begins to shift the "teeth", making a passage, shifts them by two, two and a half meters, the cord is pulled out, the fuse is triggered and usu .... after the explosion of two TM-62s under the bottom, "no one, nowhere rides..."

[paul3390]

And what will happen if we say ODAB on such a strip?

[Repellent]

Quote: paul3390

And what will happen if we say ODAB on such a strip?

Boom will be. What for? The passage in the strip can be done with more, um ... non-destructive methods.

[Drug67]

Completely out of the blue, in addition to the sappers’ mines, the cover fighters also leave their greetings. In 30 minutes, you can bury enough people who want to go through the fortification.

[igordok]

Each gouge is a simple pyramid with a rectangular base, made of concrete.

In the photo, all gouges with a triangular base. They should be triangular, so that even when it rolls over, it remains a hollow.

[cpls22]

This is probably a pattern of thinking - since the pyramid, then, as in Egypt)

[Codett]

Without overlapping the troops, it’s just cutting the dough, overcoming all the obstacles is not something difficult, I think it will take no more than half an hour for the engineering troops, the only question is equipping them with special equipment, Ukroreich may already have some Western nishtiki, although perhaps there are still enough Soviet ones .

[veteran tanker]

In accordance with the charter, engineering barriers, including minefields, are created in the defense support zone and are closely linked to the fire system of the defending units. Engineering barriers installed in an open field, outside the zone of impact of artillery fire, can be overcome by the enemy quickly enough and without losses.
The effectiveness of the funds invested in these facilities and the qualifications of their builders raise serious doubts.
Pay attention to the photo with the anti-tank ditch. According to all the rules, the excavated soil should be laid on the side opposite from the enemy, in order to complicate the possibility of overcoming the ditch (ditch depth + embankment height). In the photo, the soil is poured on both sides of the ditch, which will reduce the height of the obstacle and allow the enemy to fill the ditch with the excavated soil.

[drone-expert]

Don't talk nonsense, "tanker". The ditch according to the charter should be approximately equal to the length of the tank. Here it is 6 meters. The dump is not made on both sides of the ditch, because you look at the photo of the trenches in general. A machine for digging ditches of the MDK-3 type and cannot physically throw soil on 2 sides.

There is an open field for pyramids only for border guards along the border of the Russian Federation. On the real lines of defense, there is a forefield, then a moat, then pyramids, then mines, then trenches and pillboxes. There are many artillery and aviation spotters with Sagittarius complexes in the trenches. Regularly, they are usually from the Airborne Forces in separate groups. Often they move forward into the trenches of the foredfield.

In total, there are 6 lines of fortifications in the Zaporozhye direction, as well as oporniki at the intersections of the central roads, and between them there are minefields. In fact, there is no operational space there.

[Meaning of life_]

Judging by the pictures, we even forgot how to build engineering barriers. A real "dragon's teeth" strip should look completely different. Here it is described in detail, I recommend reading it. http://army.armor.kiev.ua/engenear/nadolb.php

[solar]

Sabotage groups on armored vehicles are now unable to cross the border in arbitrary places.

Karatsupa turned over in his grave from such border guards. Previously, single saboteurs were caught, even if they wore their boots backwards, but now, it turns out, the question is that at least columns of armored vehicles could not move unnoticed across the border.

Concrete gouges are installed directly on the ground without any special preparation. Products of optimal height and weight make it difficult or impossible to move wheeled and tracked vehicles. For additional effect and difficulty in dismantling the barriers, the pyramids can be connected to each other with a cable.

Judging by the photo, the cable loops on the pyramids are a convenient means for pulling them aside without too much noise. Moreover, the cable is already ready, only a battery grinder is needed, cut it. Neither a tank is needed for this, nor an IMR. Hooked on the ring for the cable and dragged to the side.

Like any other engineering barriers, the lines of gouges and the area in front of them must be covered by machine guns and / or artillery.

To do this, it is necessary that there are enough troops on the entire line of these pyramids 24/7. Which is absolutely unrealistic.

[Emperor_Alive]

To do this, it is necessary that there are enough troops on the entire line of these pyramids 24/7. Which is absolutely unrealistic.

It is quite enough to have surveillance cameras in all areas
and duty mobile unit with artillery + air support,
to make it very difficult to attempt a breakthrough.

[barbos]

only a battery grinder is needed, cut it

If you knew how such cables are cut with a bolt cutter. No noise, sparks or batteries.

[Mustached Kok]

Battlefield engineering is essential. But why, even 15 months after the start of the NWO, no one seriously and systematically took up engineering support?

[Mikhail Maslov]

Firstly, it is not correct to call it the "Wagner line". Because it was precisely the Wagners who were denied the construction of the defense line and the training of the militia. They built civilians and, as it turned out, they were not completed, where the enemy passed. Everything was fine on paper and on camera, but surprisingly, the main roads are open, I don’t want to. Let’s say the enemy made an attempt to break through along the road. The question is when and how will you lay mines, where will you take reserves from and how long will it take? cities one throw.

[Mazunga]

if you also dig TMKI for gouges, then not every challenger will reach his ATGM))))

[Klushin]

When our drivers drove these concrete pyramids, they were listed in the accompanying documents as elements of garden decor. In the Bryansk region, once a traffic police squad was very stubborn, they kept the driver until they themselves were taken away. Two multivans arrived, loaded the traffic cops, told the driver to keep moving and left. The traffic police car remained on the road

[pavel.tipin]

Barriers should be part of the defensive line and constantly improved.

[Dkuznecov]

If there are still a couple of TM pancakes under the tooth,
little will seem to anyone.