Winston Churchill walking among the 'dragon teeth', the lines of tank defences, of the Siegfried Line during his visit to the 9th Army in Germany, circa 1945. He is accompanied by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff. Getty Images
Winston Churchill walking among the 'dragon teeth', the lines of tank defences, of the Siegfried Line during his visit to the 9th Army in Germany, circa 1945. He is accompanied by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff. Getty Images
View of pillbox and dragon's teeth tank barrier structures that were part of Germany's Siegfried Line defences during the Second World War. Getty Images
View of pillbox and dragon's teeth tank barrier structures that were part of Germany's Siegfried Line defences during the Second World War. Getty Images
An American WC51 Dodge medic truck on a bulldozed road through rows of 'dragon's teeth' on the Siegfried Line (also known as the West Wall), 1945. The so-called teeth were concrete structures a little more than a metre tall and designed to impede tank movements. Getty Images
An American WC51 Dodge medic truck on a bulldozed road through rows of 'dragon's teeth' on the Siegfried Line (also known as the West Wall), 1945. The so-called teeth were concrete structures a little more than a metre tall and designed to impede tank movements. Getty Images
Metal spikes, known as dragon's teeth, and razor wire fortifications on a beach on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, with islands belonging to North Korea in the distance, June 26, 2020. On the sleepy island the threat of conflict is constant with North Korean coastal howitzers just 11 kilometres away. Bloomberg
Metal spikes, known as dragon's teeth, and razor wire fortifications on a beach on Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, with islands belonging to North Korea in the distance, June 26, 2020. On the sleepy island the threat of conflict is constant with North Korean coastal howitzers just 11 kilometres away. Bloomberg

World

Europe

Are dragon's teeth still effective? Russia revives Second World War obstacle in Ukraine

Russia is building a defensive barrier around the occupied city of Mariupol

Robert Tollast
Robert Tollast

November 10, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Russian forces are trying to slow down tanks in Ukraine by building "dragon's teeth", a type of fortification not seen in combat since the Second World War.

The obstacles, concrete blocks in the shape of pyramids, were built in Britain during the war as fears of a Nazi invasion grew, as well as in Germany.

Russia has started to build the defences around the occupied southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the UK's Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.

"Dragon’s teeth have likely been installed between Mariupol and Nikolske village, and from northern Mariupol to Staryi Krym village," it said.

The concrete “teeth” are embedded at least one metre into the ground to hamper attempts to dislodge them.

Ukrainian tanks, which were mainly designed during the Soviet era, could be damaged if they are driven over the blocks.

Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
Workers surround the Monument to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred with sandbags against damage from shelling in Mykolaiv. EPA
Workers surround the Monument to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred with sandbags against damage from shelling in Mykolaiv. EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for talks before a meeting between the Russian president and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia. AFP
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev for talks before a meeting between the Russian president and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi, Russia. AFP
People take water from a water pump in Kyiv. EPA
People take water from a water pump in Kyiv. EPA
A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Reuters
A woman walks past a damaged building in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Reuters
A woman outside her home, which was destroyed during battles at the start of the conflict, in Yahidne, Chernihiv. Getty Images
A woman outside her home, which was destroyed during battles at the start of the conflict, in Yahidne, Chernihiv. Getty Images
People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
People shelter inside a subway station during a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Reuters
Firefighters at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
Firefighters at the site of a drone attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. AP
A woman walks past the site of a Russian missile strike in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Reuters
A woman walks past the site of a Russian missile strike in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Reuters
Rescuer workers at a building destroyed in an attack in Mykolaiv. Reuters
Rescuer workers at a building destroyed in an attack in Mykolaiv. Reuters
Parts of a drone lie on a street in Kyiv. Reuters
Parts of a drone lie on a street in Kyiv. Reuters
A drone flies over the Ukrainian capital during an attack. AFP
A drone flies over the Ukrainian capital during an attack. AFP
Ukrainian servicemen tow a captured Russian armoured vehicle in Rudneve village, Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen tow a captured Russian armoured vehicle in Rudneve village, Kharkiv. EPA
A partially destroyed residential building in Saltivka, in Kharkiv. AP
A partially destroyed residential building in Saltivka, in Kharkiv. AP
Ukrainian servicemen fire a captured Russian howitzer on a front line near Kupyansk city, Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen fire a captured Russian howitzer on a front line near Kupyansk city, Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region. AFP
Ukrainian servicemen near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region. AFP
An officer from a Ukrainian national police emergency demining team prepares to detonate collected anti-tank mines and explosives near Lyman, in the Donetsk region. AFP
An officer from a Ukrainian national police emergency demining team prepares to detonate collected anti-tank mines and explosives near Lyman, in the Donetsk region. AFP
A boy playing on a destroyed Russian tank on display in Kyiv. AFP
A boy playing on a destroyed Russian tank on display in Kyiv. AFP
A young couple hiding underground during an air alert in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
A young couple hiding underground during an air alert in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
Ukrainian firefighters looking for survivors after a strike in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
Ukrainian firefighters looking for survivors after a strike in Zaporizhzhia. AFP
Workers fix a banner reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' to the State Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow. AFP
Workers fix a banner reading 'Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson - Russia!' to the State Historical Museum near Red Square in Moscow. AFP
Residents try to cross a destroyed bridge in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AFP
Residents try to cross a destroyed bridge in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AFP
Alyona Kishinskaya helps to clean up a shop as it prepares to reopen in Balakiya, Ukraine, after a six-month Russian occupation. Getty Images
Alyona Kishinskaya helps to clean up a shop as it prepares to reopen in Balakiya, Ukraine, after a six-month Russian occupation. Getty Images
Alla, 12, has a swinging time in Balakiya, Ukraine, as life goes on despite the war. Getty Images
Alla, 12, has a swinging time in Balakiya, Ukraine, as life goes on despite the war. Getty Images
Ukrainian flags in the town square in Balakiya. Getty Images
Ukrainian flags in the town square in Balakiya. Getty Images
A destroyed Russian command centre in Izium, Ukraine. Getty Images
A destroyed Russian command centre in Izium, Ukraine. Getty Images
In what may be a final farewell, young Russian recruits - escorted by their wives - walk to a train station in Volgograd before being sent to war in Ukraine. AP
In what may be a final farewell, young Russian recruits - escorted by their wives - walk to a train station in Volgograd before being sent to war in Ukraine. AP
Russian recruits board the train to Ukraine in Volgograd. AP
Russian recruits board the train to Ukraine in Volgograd. AP
Ukrainian soliders drive a tank at the recently retaken eastern side of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. AFP
Ukrainian soliders drive a tank at the recently retaken eastern side of the Oskil River in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. AFP
Volunteers pass boxes of food aid on a destroyed bridge over the Oskil River. AFP
Volunteers pass boxes of food aid on a destroyed bridge over the Oskil River. AFP
Ukrainian soliders rest on an armoured personnel carrier. AFP
Ukrainian soliders rest on an armoured personnel carrier. AFP
A sign warns of landmines in Izyum, eastern Ukraine. AFP
A sign warns of landmines in Izyum, eastern Ukraine. AFP
This crater was left after a missile strike in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. AFP
This crater was left after a missile strike in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. AFP

Ukraine’s T-64BM Bulat tanks weigh 38 tonnes, making them a little heavier than the largest variant of the American Shermans used in the Second World War. The US vehicles were unable to pass over dragon’s teeth.

In the 1990s, South Korea built dense rows of the concrete blocks near Goyang, a satellite city of the capital Seoul, in the belief they could slow down the North’s Soviet-era tanks.

The defences are not intended to be completely impassable, but are instead used to channel attackers towards ambushes and areas where artillery fire can be concentrated, experts say.

The teeth were a major problem for the US Third Armoured Division as its tanks entered western Germany by crossing the Siegfried Line, which comprised bunkers and dragon’s teeth.

The US 23rd Armoured Engineer Battalion succeeded in crawling forward and placing explosives on the obstacles, but not before being attacked with heavy machinegun fire and mortars.

The teeth proved effective for Germany when American forces could not find a way around.

Are dragon's teeth effective today?

Russia is unlikely to install a defensive line in Ukraine as dense as the Siegfried Line, which was built over a period of several years starting in 1936, covered 600 kilometres, included nearly 20,000 bunkers and used about eight million tonnes of concrete.

It is possible that more modern tanks will be able to deal with the obstacles by using their main guns, a last resort in the Second World War when the guns were less powerful and less accurate.

Ukraine also has the US-supplied M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge, a trailer that lays a line of C-4 plastic explosives more than 100 metres long.

It is designed to clear obstacles as well as mines, and in theory could remove dragon’s teeth.

Ukraine is more likely to seek a way around the defences or send infantry to seize the far side of the barrier until engineering units arrive.

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Recommended
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was first created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

Non-oil%20trade
%3Cp%3ENon-oil%20trade%20between%20the%20UAE%20and%20Japan%20grew%20by%2034%20per%20cent%20over%20the%20past%20two%20years%2C%20according%20to%20data%20from%20the%20Federal%20Competitiveness%20and%20Statistics%20Centre.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%2010%20years%2C%20it%20has%20reached%20a%20total%20of%20Dh524.4%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECars%20topped%20the%20list%20of%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20re-exported%20to%20Japan%20in%202022%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh1.3%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJewellery%20and%20ornaments%20amounted%20to%20Dh150%20million%20while%20precious%20metal%20scraps%20amounted%20to%20Dh105%20million.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERaw%20aluminium%20was%20ranked%20first%20among%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20exported%20to%20Japan.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETop%20of%20the%20list%20of%20commodities%20imported%20from%20Japan%20in%202022%20was%20cars%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh20.08%20billion.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
US election 2020
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
Read more about the coronavirus
TICKETS

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

Results

3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel

4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson

5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri

5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

While you're here
UAE-based players

Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim

Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
You might also like
While you're here
Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency
The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 720hp

Torque: 770Nm

Price: Dh1,100,000

On sale: now

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8

Gearbox: eight-speed automatic

Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km

Price, base: from Dh571,000

On sale: this week

On Women's Day

Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday

Updated: November 10, 2022, 1:05 PM`
RussiaUkraine

Most popular today

1

Dubai's new first-time home buyer scheme to benefit existing residents amid foreign investor surge

2

Inside UAE’s most expensive school, from Dh200,000 fees to esports classrooms

3

After decades of acclaim, Brad Pitt finally has his blockbuster – and Abu Dhabi helped make it happen

4

Dubai launches scheme to help first-time investors buy properties valued up to Dh5m

5

The meaning behind the UAE's new dirham banknotes

6

Iker Casillas on Cristiano Ronaldo, the rise of Middle East football and the future of sport

7

Sharjah road closures in place for two months due to Etihad Rail work

8

What can be done to solve UAE traffic congestion?

9

Nothing Phone (3): UAE release date, price and everything else you need to know

10

Adnoc Drilling awarded five-year oilfield services contract worth up to $800m