Ukrainian intelligence confirms: Will destroy the Crimean bridge before the summer

This is what a centrally located source in the Ukrainian intelligence service tells The Guardian.

The 18 kilometer long bridge is the very lifeline between the Russian mainland and the occupied Crimean peninsula.

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Work on the bridge started in December 2015, and had a price tag of NOK 80 billion. President Vladimir Putin marked the opening in May 2018 when it was opened to car traffic. Companies and private individuals who had contributed to building the bridge were put on a sanctions list by the EU.

Goal number one for Ukraine

Ukrainian forces have attacked the bridge several times. The most devastating attack occurred on 8 October 2022. When parts of the bridge collapsed after several major explosions. Ukraine later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Now Ukrainian intelligence is warning of new attacks, and says the Crimean bridge is the number one target for Ukraine, writes Newsweek and Ukrinform.

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– We will do it in the first half of 2024. The intelligence service already has most of the means to implement this goal, the source states.

Video: Ukraine: Here they blow up their own bridge

Zelenskyj is said to have approved attack plans

The attack plans have already been approved by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The aim is to minimize Russia’s military presence in the Black Sea.

According to senior officials, Ukrainian special forces are preparing an operation to destroy the Crimean bridge. The aim should be to disable the bridge in the near future.

– The Crimean bridge is a legitimate target for Ukraine because Russian occupiers use it to transport weapons. This goal should be neutralized, Zelenskyj has previously stated.

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Has deployed S-300 and Pantsir-S1 missile systems

If Ukraine were to manage to put the bridge out of action, it would be an enormous prestige victory, and strengthen Ukrainian fighting morale after several months of military setbacks.

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In recent months, Russia has implemented a number of measures to protect the bridge. In addition to strengthening the air defence, the Russians are said to have established various systems to stop naval drones. According to the Kyiv Post, the Russians have deployed S-300 and Pantsir-S1 missile systems to protect the bridge.

10 to 20 missiles are probably enough to destroy the bridge

It is unknown whether Ukraine is capable of carrying out an effective attack against the bridge, but according to intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine must be in possession of the necessary weapons. Experts have previously estimated that 10 to 20 missiles would be enough to destroy the bridge.

If the bridge becomes unusable, the Russians will be forced to transport military supplies by road through occupied southern Ukraine, via Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, which, according to Ukrainian sources, will significantly weaken Russia’s ability to carry out new offensives.