Russia rushes to complete massive new defense system for Crimea Bridge

Author HI Sutton, an expert in collecting intelligence from open sources (OSINT), said on June 14 on Naval News that Moscow is continuing to strengthen the defense of the vital bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to the Russian mainland.

The Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, has been attacked twice and is certainly high on Ukraine’s list of targets. Given its importance, it is understandable why the bridge has received more aggressive protection amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Accordingly, Russia is urgently strengthening the already dense defense system for the Crimean Bridge. The outer layer of barges anchored at the end of the bridge now extends forward of the main bridge. This is in addition to the inner network and floating boom.

Analysis of satellite imagery and footage from the bridge reveals new details about these defense systems, author HI Sutton said.

Additionally, it appears that several barges are positioned to be towed forward to completely block the channel under the bridge if necessary. Russia previously stationed ships along the shipping lane to block the Ukrainian Navy in November 2018. This new barrier is located further from the bridge and is intended to block access to the piers that could be targeted for attack.

Russia strengthens defenses to protect Crimea Bridge from Ukrainian USV attacks. Photo: HI Sutton/Naval News

Defenses for the vital bridge have been beefed up since Russia began its “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022. Air defense systems, smoke machines, radar-reflecting barges, cranes, and warships have all been deployed. However, some of these defenses have proven inadequate. In March this year, the patrol boat Sergey Kotov was sunk by Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) while guarding the southern approaches to the bridge.

Ukraine has attacked the bridge twice, both times with some degree of success. On October 8, 2022, a bomb hidden in a truck exploded south of the main span. The explosion shook several sections of the road bridge and damaged the railway bridge. The damage took Russia months to repair and led to restrictions on the cargo that could be transported across the bridge. On July 17, 2023, Ukraine attacked the bridge again, this time using a USV called the Sea Baby. The explosion caused a section of the road bridge to pop up and collapse.

A Ukrainian Magura V5 unmanned surface vehicle (USV) fell into Russian hands. Photo: TWZ

It is clear from these defensive measures that Russia takes the threat from Ukrainian USVs very seriously. The Ukrainian Navy, the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service (GUR), and the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) all have USVs that could be used. They could carry large warheads with enough explosive power to lift part of the bridge and then collapse. Or they could target the bridge piers.

Answering the question of why the Crimean Crane is so carefully guarded by Russia, author HI Sutton said that this longest bridge in Europe, including a railway and road bridge, is an important supply artery for Russia in its campaign in Ukraine. The railway is especially important for the transport of goods. And the bridge, built in 2016 after Russia annexed Crimea, is an important political symbol for the Kremlin. Naturally, this is also a major target for Ukraine.

Fuel tanks on the Crimean Bridge, June 8, 2024. Photo: Militarnyi

Russia has tried to minimize the amount of high-risk cargo crossing the bridge so that any attack would not be exacerbated by cargo being hit, especially fuel and ammunition. Instead, Russia has tried to use naval vessels and ferries to transport these items to Crimea.

However, successful Ukrainian attacks on landing craft used for this purpose and on rail ferries mean that these high-risk cargoes may have to be transported across the bridge again.

Bridge piers are also being built on either side of the smaller section of the bridge south of the main span. It is unclear whether these will form alternative routes or part of a defensive barrier.

The bridge remains a key target for Ukraine. Whether Russia’s enhanced defenses can keep the bridge safe from attacks by Ukrainian USVs remains to be seen .

Minh Duc (According to Naval News, Militarnyi)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/nga-gap-rut-hoan-thanh-he-thong-phong-thu-khong-lo-moi-cho-cau-crimea-a668494.html