Russia has spent several months preparing for an offensive from Ukraine in the south of the country. Defensive lines around Tokmak include minefields, anti-tank ditches, concrete obstacles and trenches.

In new satellite imagery, it appears that Russians have used a sand barrier to block water from the small river around the area. As a result the river has widened to the east and flooded some fields. The water has steadily risen on the east side of the city.