Ukraine destroyed a major bridge in Russia’s Kursk region, and bombed a second bridge nearby, less than two weeks after it was brought across the border, disrupting Russian supply routes, and this could be a sign that her forces intend to consolidate themselves.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers in Russia admitted that the destruction of the first bridge, which spans the Sim River near the town of Glushkovo, would disrupt the delivery of supplies to Russian forces in the face of an invasion. Ukraine, although Moscow is still able to use pontoon bridges and smaller bridges in the area.
On Friday, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, released a video clip of a Ukrainian air strike that split the bridge in two.
Less than two days later, Ukrainian forces hit a second bridge in Russia, according to Oleshchuk and Russian regional governor Alexei Smirnov.
As of Sunday morning, there were no official reports on exactly where the second attack on the bridge took place. Russian Telegram channels reported that the second bridge over the Sim River, in the village of Zhvanoy, was bombed.
According to the Russian Mash news website, the attacks left the area with only one intact bridge.
The Associated Press could not immediately confirm these claims, but if confirmed, the Ukrainian strikes would further complicate Moscow’s efforts to replenish its forces in Kursk and evacuate civilians.
Glushkovo is located about 12 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border, and about 16 kilometers northwest of the main battlefield of Kursk. Zvanoj is another 8 kilometers to the northeast.
Kiev has been tight-lipped about the scope and intended goals of its blitzkrieg on Russia, the country’s biggest assault since World War II, which stunned the Kremlin and led to the fall of dozens of small towns and hundreds of prisoners into Ukrainian hands.
The Ukrainians penetrated deep into the Kursk Region in several directions, faced little opposition, and caused chaos and panic.
Last week, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Sersky, said that his forces had advanced over 1,000 square kilometers of Kursk, although it was not possible to definitively confirm depending on which Ukrainian forces are in control.
However, the strikes on the bridges, apparently aimed at thwarting a Russian counteroffensive in Kursk, could mean that Kiev intends to seek a foothold in the region – or at least send a signal to Moscow that they intend to do so.
Analysts say that while Ukraine could try to consolidate its gains inside Russia, it would be a risky move given Kiev’s limited resources, as supply lines would extend deep. into Kursk in danger of Russian strikes.
The attack has already boosted morale in Ukraine, battered by a failed counter-offensive last summer and months of crushing Russian gains in the eastern Donbas region, and has shown that he is able to take the initiative.
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2024-08-18 12:40:01
