Hodges shared a plan for the destruction of the Crimean bridge

The ex-commander of the US Army in Europe, retired General Ben Hodges named a way for the Ukrainian military to destroy the illegally built Crimean Bridge of the Russian Federation.

In an article for Foreign Affairs, Hodges noted that the Ukrainian military will be able to destroy the Crimean Bridge, or at least seriously damage it, if it receives long-range guided missiles from Western partners, in particular, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and the German Taurus.

According to him, the Kremlin built the bridge as part of its desire to dominate the Black Sea and the southern regions of Ukraine.

According to the retired American general, the destruction of the bridge by the Ukrainian military can be the key not only to the de-occupation of Crimea but also a serious reason for the Kremlin to recognize the need to end the war.

Hodges notes that the key challenge for now is the bridge's resistance to attack and damage.

He noted that a massive missile attack is necessary to disable the bridge.

However, even advanced missiles such as ATACMS have limited accuracy and are unlikely to hit relatively small targets on the bridge.

However, he emphasized that German long-range Taurus missiles, designed to destroy bunkers, could be more successfully used to destroy the Crimean Bridge.

However, the German authorities refuse to deliver Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, fearing the Kremlin's reaction.

Is there the most effective way to destroy the Crimean bridge

According to Hodges, the most successful and effective way to destroy the bridge is to detonate it using planted explosives.

However, this requires direct access to the bridge, which Ukrainian troops do not yet have.

Hodges concluded that until the Crimean Peninsula is liberated, Ukraine should continue to attack the bridge with all available means, even if it only temporarily disables it.

Continued attacks could slow down Russian logistics and reduce the advantage Moscow gets from annexing the peninsula.

He also reminded that Russia is considering the possibility of building a tunnel under the Kerch Strait together with China, which shows their concern about the threat of the bridge being destroyed.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 06/12/2023