Press
The Crimean bridge is a symbol of power for Putin — and an attractive target for Ukraine. But a Ukrainian intelligence expert suggests a different strategy in the war.
KYIV – The Russian government has warned of a “catastrophic retaliatory attack” if Ukraine attacks the Crimean peninsula or the Crimean bridge, which is part of Russia, again. The reason: There is speculation in Russia that Ukraine may be planning a major attack – around “Victory Day” – which Russia celebrates on May 9 with an exhibition of captured military equipment. A simultaneous attack on the bridge connecting the peninsula with mainland Russia, That would be a shame To Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A Ukrainian military intelligence officer reported in a British newspaper in April Guardian Do: “We will destroy the bridge in the first half of 2024.” The destruction of the bridge, which had already been hit twice, was “inevitable”.
A Ukrainian intelligence expert is now openly warning of the destruction of the Crimean bridgehead. Not out of fear of retaliation from Putin, but because he sees it as a waste of Ukraine’s already scarce military resources.
“Will the destruction of the Crimean bridge bring us a warning against the wrong tactics in the war in Ukraine?”
“What will the destruction of the Crimean bridge bring us?” asks Ivan Stupak, a former employee of the Ukrainian domestic secret service Interview with Ukrainian News Agency Union. The destruction of the Crimean bridge will be complex and difficult. The bridge was repeatedly damaged in previous attacks, but was later restored. “It doesn’t work very well.”
Stupak believes future attempts to destroy the bridge will be a waste of energy. Especially since Russia has now reacted: Putin’s army no longer uses the bridge for military purposes.
A Ukrainian open source agency has used satellite images to show that significantly fewer trains cross the Kerch Bridge than before. Instead, Russia is now increasingly using land routes in the annexed regions of eastern Ukraine to provide front lines in the Ukrainian war.
Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Ukrainian domestic intelligence service, said in March 2024 that Russia would no longer use the Crimean bridge for arms deliveries. Trains crossing the bridge currently only carry people and consumer goods.
In a war against Russia, Ukraine should attack other targets instead of the Crimean bridgehead
Ukrainian military expert Stupak suggests in an interview Union So, don’t waste too many rockets and ammunition on attacks on the Kerch Bridge. Instead, the Ukrainian military should attack Russian targets whose destruction would be more beneficial. Stupak cites “headquarters, warehouses” and air defense complexes, aircraft and airfields as examples.
For example, if Ukraine destroys the Russian S300 anti-aircraft missile complex, this will directly help Ukrainian security: Russia can immediately shoot down fewer Ukrainian planes and fire fewer missiles at soldiers, “which means we won’t lose military or civilians. This is a huge added value. This is a direct effect. Attacks on oil refineries on Russian soil, as well as several recent attacks by Ukraine, would also be effective. Because they mean “Putin’s financial ruin.”
Expert suggests attacking Russian warplanes instead of Crimean bridge
The most important thing for Ukrainian security in the war against Russia is the destruction of Russian warplanes carrying high-explosive cruise missiles, a Ukrainian expert said. As a result of Russia’s use of so-called FAB bombs, the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka fell, and this may happen again in the now-trapped Chasiv Yar.
Military expert warns FAB cruise missiles will cut into Ukrainian defenses “like can launchers”. Ukraine should therefore directly destroy Russian warplanes where they are stationed or approaching Ukraine. “This would be a huge advantage and opportunity to stop the Russian advance,” Stupak said, as opposed to more extensive attacks on the Crimean bridgehead.
Stupak sees the latter primarily as PR campaigns “for Facebook”: “There will be likes, memes and reposts for two days,” “but what will it bring us, how will it affect the situation on the front?” asks the expert critically. (smu)
. “Amateur alcohol specialist. Reader. Hardcore introvert. Freelance explorer.”