RF ceased using Crimean Bridge for supplying weapons to front - The Independent

Photo: Crimean Bridge (wikipedia.org)

After repeated attacks on Ukraine, Russia ceased supplying weapons to support its troops on the frontlines via the Crimean Bridge. The aggressor country switched to using overland routes through the occupied territory, reports The Independent, citing satellite images from Maxar and the conclusions of analysts from the intelligence agency Molfar.

Satellite image analysis indicates minimal activity on the Crimean Bridge. Therefore, according to analysts, it may no longer be an effective military target for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Satellite images show that hardly any military freight trains have been traversing the railway line of the bridge for three months.

During this period, only one Russian freight train was observed crossing the bridge on February 29, carrying about 55 fuel wagons.

Analysts stated that in March and April, there was no movement involving Russian military forces on the bridge.

It is noted that Russia’s use of the bridge significantly decreased after Ukraine attacked it on July 17, 2023, using a naval landing craft and damaging part of the roadway and railway line.

As reported by the CEO of Molfar, Artem Starosek, the decision of the Russian authorities to cease using the Crimean Bridge to replenish the supplies of Russian forces coincided with a sharp increase in cargo shipments through Taman in the Rostov region.

“Kyiv should now focus its attentions on Melitopol, Berdyansk and Mariupol, where Russia is laying new rail lines to connect these occupied Ukrainian regions with Crimea and mainland Russia,” he said.

The new railway line, running from Akimivka in Melitopol and extending to Berdyansk and Mariupol before reaching Rostov in Russia, is likely to be used by Russian forces for a new offensive.

According to Starosek, Ukraine could benefit from targeting these overland routes rather than expending resources on the Crimean Bridge:

“It is these paths that are currently a more serious threat than the non-working railway path of the Crimean Bridge. Western aid should also be supplied in the manner where it can cover Ukraine’s need to target these active Russian ammunition hotspots,” he noted.

Destruction of the Crimean Bridge

The Defense Forces have repeatedly struck at the illegally constructed Crimean bridge by the Russians.

Recently, The Guardian published an article mentioning that Ukrainian intelligence is preparing for a third strike on the Crimean Bridge. Supposedly, this will occur in the first half of 2024.

Commenting on the article, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Andrii Yusov, stated that the information is not new, as the Crimean Bridge is a military target and subject to “neutralization.”