The Crimean Bridge, connecting the Russian mainland with the Russian-occupied Crimea, has been a crucial supply route for the Russian military in Ukraine. However, after being heavily damaged in Ukrainian strikes in October 2022 and July 2023, Russia no longer uses the bridge to supply weapons to the front, according to Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Before the attacks, 42 to 46 trains carrying weapons and ammunition passed through the bridge daily. Currently, there are only four or five trains passing through, with most of them for passenger traffic and consumer goods. The Russian proxy authorities in occupied Crimea often shut down traffic on the bridge due to reports of explosions and drone strikes. Maliuk hinted that once the bridge is fully restored, Russia may resume using it for weapons supplies, but Ukraine plans to carry out another attack in the future.
The construction of the Crimean Bridge began after the illegal annexation and occupation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and was completed in 2018. The bridge spans a length of 19 kilometers and has served as a vital link for Russia in supplying military equipment and ammunition to its forces in Ukraine. However, the repeated strikes on the bridge by Ukrainian forces have significantly disrupted this supply route, leading to a drastic reduction in the number of trains carrying weapons and ammunition. Despite the damage, Russia is expected to restore the bridge to its full functionality, at which point Ukraine may launch another attack to prevent its use for military purposes.
The plan to strike the Crimean Bridge was reportedly conceived in March 2022, indicating that Ukraine had been strategically planning these attacks for some time. The success of the strikes in damaging the bridge highlights the effectiveness of Ukraine’s military capabilities in targeting key infrastructure used by Russian forces. While the attacks have temporarily halted the flow of weapons and ammunition through the bridge, it is likely that Russia will seek to repair and resume its use for military purposes in the future. This ongoing conflict and strategic targeting of vital infrastructure underscore the intensity of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides engaging in warfare tactics to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
The disruption of the Crimean Bridge as a supply route for Russian military forces in Ukraine reflects the broader scope of the conflict between the two countries. The ongoing tensions and hostilities between Ukraine and Russia have resulted in a protracted conflict that shows no signs of resolution. The targeting of critical infrastructure, such as the Crimean Bridge, indicates the extent to which both sides are willing to engage in military actions to assert their control and dominance in the region. As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the targeting of strategic assets like the bridge serves as a reminder of the country’s determination to resist Russian aggression and uphold its independence.
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