Having an important practical and symbolic role, the bridge connecting Russia to the Crimean peninsula has been repeatedly attacked by what are believed to be Ukrainian forces.
Mykhailo Fedorov, deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation of Ukraine, confirmed on July 17 that an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was used to attack the Crimea bridge, also known as the Kerch bridge, connecting mainland Russia with the peninsula that Moscow annexed in 2014, causing severe damage to a span of the bridge.
Western media previously quoted a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as saying that the attack on the Crimea bridge was a "special operation by the SBU and the navy".
This is the second time the Crimean bridge has been attacked since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in late February 2022. Last October, a massive explosion on the Crimean bridge collapsed two spans and killed five people. Russia at the time accused Ukrainian special forces of a "terrorist attack" on Crimea, although Kiev did not admit it.
Russia in April 2018 inaugurated a 19-km bridge connecting Crimea to the Taman region in southwestern Russia, four years after annexing the peninsula. It is the longest bridge in Europe and cost a total of $3.7 billion. The railway bridge, which runs parallel to the road bridge, began operating in December 2019.
Panoramic view of the Crimean Bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with Russia when it opened in 2018. Video: Euronews
The Crimean Bridge is considered a key infrastructure project for President Vladimir Putin. During its inauguration in 2018, Putin drove an orange Kamaz truck flying the Russian flag across the bridge and called the project a "miracle" of Moscow.
“In different historical eras, people dreamed of building this bridge,” Putin said at the ceremony. The bridge has become a symbol of Russia’s ability to implement large infrastructure projects, as well as the dream of restoring the influence and power of Great Russia.
Since then, the Crimean Bridge has served as a symbol of Russian identity and power in the peninsula, home to some 2 million people. It has also become a key chokepoint between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which Russia considers its sphere of influence, despite Ukraine’s efforts to protest.
Crimea Bridge on July 17. Photo: AP
The role of the Crimean Bridge increased when Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine. As the only road and rail link from Russia to the Crimean peninsula, it became an important link in the rear line for Russia to transport forces, weapons, fuel, and ammunition to serve the attack on Kherson and the southern region of Ukraine.
The operation helped Russia achieve its goal of establishing a land corridor from Russia to Crimea by annexing the four regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Lugansk, in order to reduce dependence on the Crimean bridge.
However, Ukraine still considers the Crimean Bridge a "thorn in the side" and aims to destroy it, while simultaneously attempting to cut off Russia's land corridor. If both goals are achieved, Ukraine could completely isolate Russian forces in Crimea, allowing them to retake the peninsula.
The bridge suffered a massive explosion last October, believed to have been caused by a car bomb, which collapsed two spans and briefly paralyzed traffic, sending Ukrainians into a frenzy.
The location of the Crimea bridge and the site of the explosion on October 8, 2022. Graphic: Guardian
But Russia rushed to repair the bridge and reopened it to traffic within two months, a sign of the importance of the Crimean bridge to Russia.
As Ukraine launches a major counteroffensive to deal a decisive blow to Russian forces in the south, the Crimean bridge continues to be seen as an important target, as it could prevent Moscow from sending more troops, tanks, and armored vehicles to the peninsula and reinforce the southern defense line.
For now, Ukrainian forces want to make it as difficult as possible for Russian forces to control areas south of the Dnieper River. Russian logistics centers across the south have been repeatedly attacked by long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine by the West. If the Crimean Bridge is unable to continue operating, even for a short time, it will add to Russia’s logistical challenges.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram on July 17 that the country's forces had gained another 18 square kilometers in the past week, bringing the total area recaptured to 210 square kilometers since the counteroffensive began in June.
Ms Maliar also recently claimed that Ukrainian forces had destroyed six Russian ammunition depots in one day. “We must deliver effective, painful and precise blows to our opponents, who will sooner or later run out of ammunition and fuel,” she said.
The Crimean bridge was damaged after explosions in the early morning of July 17. Video: Telegram/tvcrimea24
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said it may take until mid-September to restore some two-way traffic on the bridge following the July 17 explosion. Full traffic on the bridge may only be restored in November.
President Putin called the attack a "terrorist act" by Kiev and vowed to take appropriate measures to respond. The Russian military launched missile and drone strikes on a series of Ukrainian cities early this morning, apparently in response to the attack on the Crimean bridge.
Observers say the attack on the Crimean Bridge on July 17 was not Ukraine’s last attempt to target this iconic structure. As the West transfers weapons with increasingly longer ranges, including the Storm Shadow cruise missile, Ukraine has the ability to launch a larger attack on the Crimean Bridge.
Boris Rozhin, a prominent pro-Kremlin military blogger, said that after the Crimean bridge was damaged, ferries and large landing ships would transport vehicles from Russia to the peninsula, and that he hoped the bridge would be repaired soon. However, there was no guarantee that it would not be attacked again.
"If the Crimean bridge continues to be used for any Russian military purposes, it could remain in Ukraine's crosshairs," said BBC commentator Paul Adams.
Thanh Tam (According to Washington Post, BBC, WSJ, Hill )
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