As noted in the report, on October 14, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said that the damage caused by Ukraine in July 2023 with an attack on the Crimean bridge had been repaired ahead of schedule.
Although the bridge is fully operational, its use remains limited due to procedures introduced after the first Ukrainian strike in October 2022. Trucks and fuel are still being transported by ferry, the report said.
According to British intelligence, the Crimean Bridge will remain a vital link in maintaining the Russian occupation of Crimea and Moscow’s forces in southern Ukraine. However, the bridge now poses a significant security burden, requiring multi-component protection, including the use of air defense systems and crews that would otherwise be deployed elsewhere.
The ability of Russian forces to protect this “large and vulnerable” structure will continue to be threatened “by the ingenuity of the Ukrainian military and security services,” the British Ministry of Defense notes.
Attacks on the Crimean Bridge
Let us recall that the Crimean Bridge, illegally built by the occupiers, was attacked at least twice.
In October 2022, powerful explosions occurred on it, causing significant destruction. The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasily Malyuk, confirmed that this was an operation of his special service.
In addition, in July 2023 there was another attack on the Crimean Bridge. Then two spans were destroyed. The head of the SBU, Malyuk, also confirmed the intelligence service’s involvement in this attack and noted that it was organized with the help of Sea Baby drones.
2023-10-19 06:06:43
#British #intelligence #assessed #Moscows #ability #protect #Crimean #bridge #attacks
