Ukraine builds border zone facing Russia in Kharkiv Oblast

Ukrainian border guard leader Viktor Nazarenko announced that the government had completed creating border works along Ukraine’s border with Russia in Kharkiv Oblast. Interfax-Ukraine reported on May 20 that Nazarenko stated that progress had been delayed due to funding problems, but that work had started in Sumy and Luhansk oblasts. Works include anti-vehicle ditches, fences, belt roads and exclusion zones. He also claimed that border trespassing had dropped to zero where the works had been built.

James Hydzik: We hold by the saying that good fences make good neighbors. In this case, the creation of a border zone between the two countries is an important step on several levels, not least in curbing smuggling. The wall is not designed to stop a serious military intrusion, but it does prevent infiltration by lesser-equipped units such as the groups of Russian soldiers who “get lost” and end up in Ukraine.  In this sense, the fence will lessen political tension as well.