Russia stops using the Crimean Bridge to supply weapons to the front

After repeated attacks on Ukraine, Russia stopped supplying weapons to support its troops at the front through the Crimean Bridge. The aggressor country switched to using land routes through the occupied territory.

As RBC-Ukraine reports, The Independent writes about this regarding Maxar satellite images and the conclusions of analysts of the Molfar intelligence agency.

Analysis of satellite images shows that there is almost no traffic on the Crimean Bridge. Therefore, according to analysts, it can no longer be an effective military target for the Armed Forces.

Satellite imagery shows that almost no military freight trains have run on the bridge's rail line for three months.

During this period, on February 29, only one Russian freight train carrying about 55 wagons of fuel was seen on the bridge.

Analysts said there were no movements involving Russian military forces on the bridge either in March or April.

It is noted that Russia's use of the bridge was significantly reduced after Ukraine attacked it with unmanned naval boats on July 17, 2023, and blew up part of the roadway and railway line.

As Molfar General Director Artem Starosek reported, the decision of the Russian authorities to stop using the Crimean Bridge to replenish supplies of the Russian forces coincided with a sharp increase in cargo transportation through Taman in the Rostov region.

"Kyiv should now focus its attention on Melitopol, Berdyansk, and Mariupol, where Russia is laying new railway lines to connect these occupied Ukrainian regions with Crimea and mainland Russia," he said.

The new railway line, which runs from Akimivka in Melitopol and stretches to Berdyansk and Mariupol before reaching Rostov in Russia, is likely to be used by Russian forces for a new offensive.

According to Starosek, Ukraine could benefit from targeting these land routes rather than spending its resources on the Crimean Bridge:

"It is these routes that currently pose a more serious threat than the non-working Crimean Bridge railway. Western aid should also be provided in such a way that it can cover Ukraine's need to strike these active points with Russian ammunition," he said.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 07/05/2024