A defensive zone is a previously prepared area of terrain allocated for defense to a military formation, where its forces and means are located, a fire system is organized, engineering barriers and fortifications are erected.[1][2]
The defensive zone from the front is limited by the front line, from the flanks โ by demarcation lines with neighboring units, and from the rear โ by the depth of the battle formation or operational formation of the troops involved.[1][2] The spatial dimensions of the defense zone are determined by the combat capabilities of the military formation protecting it.[1]
As a rule, when conducting positional defense, the defense zone is set up in order to consolidate on important lines and repel offensive actions of the enemy.[1][2] When using tactics of maneuverable defense, it serves to defeat the enemy by arranging fire bags and consistently holding a number of lines echeloned in depth.[1]
^ abc"Defensive Zone". Soviet Military Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. Moscow: Military Publishing House of the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union. 1978. p. 430.