Reports suggest that Russia has stopped using the Crimea Bridge, a crucial conduit for transporting arms to Moscow’s forces in the region and southern Ukraine, after the latest attacks.
The bridge, which links Russia’s Krasnodar region with Crimea, has been vital for military supplies since 2014.
Vasyl Maliuk, head of Ukraine’s SBU security service, disclosed to Interfax-Ukraine that the ongoing conflict, now in its third year, has seen the bridge frequently targeted, leading to significant disruptions in military supply flows.
Before these attacks, as many as 46 trains laden with military equipment could cross daily.
Currently, the bridge sees a drastically reduced number of trains, most of which are designated for passenger service and consumer goods, with none carrying weapons or military equipment.
The persistent assaults on the bridge, including missile attacks and naval drone strikes, have resulted in substantial damage, leading to its frequent closure by authorities.
Russia previously acknowledged a truck bomb went off on the bridge, which damaged it.
Ukraine has since taken responsibility for several attacks, including a significant blast in July 2023.
Maliuk ominously predicted the bridge’s eventual demise and warned of the structure’s vulnerability.
Despite current disruptions, there is anticipation that Russia might attempt to reestablish this crucial supply route once repairs ensure the bridge’s structural integrity.
The construction of the Crimea bridge shortly after the peninsula’s annexation and its symbolic inauguration by President Vladimir Putin in 2018 have made it not only a strategic military asset but also a target for Ukrainian propaganda efforts.
Recent advisories from Ukrainian intelligence have cautioned civilians against using the bridge, highlighting ongoing security risks.
Amidst the conflict, Ukraine has sought advanced weaponry from NATO allies, including Germany, to enhance its military capabilities, with particular interest in long-range cruise missiles capable of targeting strategic infrastructures such as bridges.
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