The reason why Crimea bridge is constantly attacked

Having an important practical and symbolic role, the bridge connecting Russia to the Crimean peninsula has been repeatedly attacked by what are believed to be Ukrainian forces.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation, confirmed on July 17 that an unmanned surface vessel (USV) was used to attack the Crimea Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, which connects mainland Russia with the peninsula that Moscow annexed in 2014, causing severe damage to a span of the bridge.

Western media previously quoted a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as saying that the attack on the Crimea bridge was a "special operation of the SBU and navy".

This is the second time the Crimean bridge has been attacked since the conflict in Ukraine broke out in late February 2022. Last October, a massive explosion on the Crimean bridge collapsed two spans and killed five people. Russia then accused Ukrainian special forces of a "terrorist attack" on Crimea, although Kiev did not admit it.

Russia in April 2018 inaugurated a 19-km bridge connecting Crimea to the Taman region in southwestern Russia, four years after annexing the peninsula. This is the longest bridge in Europe, with a total value of up to 3.7 billion USD. The railway bridge running parallel to the road bridge began operating in December 2019.

Russia declares Crimea bridge inviolable — Panoramic view of the Crimean Bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with Russia when it opened in 2018. Video : *Euronews*

The Crimea Bridge is considered a key infrastructure project for President Vladimir Putin. At its opening ceremony in 2018, Mr. Putin drove an orange Kamaz truck flying the Russian flag across the bridge and called the project a "miracle" of Moscow.

"In different historical eras, people dreamed of building this bridge," Mr. Putin said at the ceremony. The bridge has become a symbol of Russia's ability to implement large infrastructure projects, as well as the dream of restoring the influence and power of Great Russia.

Since then, the Crimean Bridge has served as a symbol of Russian identity and power in the peninsula, home to some 2 million people. It has also become a key chokepoint between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, which Russia considers part of its sphere of influence, despite Ukraine’s protests.

The role of the Crimean Bridge increased when Russia launched its campaign in Ukraine. As the only road and rail link from Russia to the Crimean peninsula, it became an important link in the rear line for Russia to transport forces, weapons, fuel, and ammunition to serve the attack on Kherson and the southern region of Ukraine.

The operation helped Russia achieve its goal of establishing a land corridor from Russia to Crimea by annexing the four regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Lugansk, in order to reduce dependence on the Crimean bridge.

However, Ukraine still considers the Crimean Bridge a "thorn in its side" and aims to destroy it, while simultaneously attempting to cut off Russia's land corridor. If both goals are achieved, Ukraine could completely isolate Russian forces in Crimea, allowing them to retake the peninsula.

The bridge suffered a massive explosion last October, believed to have been caused by a car bomb, which collapsed two spans and briefly paralyzed traffic, sending Ukrainians into a frenzy.

The location of the Crimea Bridge and the site of the explosion on October 8, 2022. Graphic: Guardian — The location of the Crimea Bridge and the site of the explosion on October 8, 2022. Graphic: *Guardian*

But Russia rushed to repair the bridge and reopened it to traffic within two months, a sign of the importance of the Crimean bridge to Russia.

As Ukraine launches a major counteroffensive to deal a decisive blow to Russian forces in the south, the Crimean bridge continues to be seen as an important target, as it could prevent Moscow from sending more troops, tanks, and armored vehicles to the peninsula and reinforce the defense line in the south.

For now, Ukrainian forces want to make it as difficult as possible for Russian forces to control areas south of the Dnieper River. Russian logistics centers across the south have been repeatedly attacked by long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine by the West. If the Crimean Bridge is unable to continue operating, even for a short time, it will add to Russia’s logistical challenges.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said on Telegram on July 17 that the country's forces had gained another 18 square kilometers in the past week, bringing the total area recaptured to 210 square kilometers since the counteroffensive began in June.

Ms Maliar also recently claimed that Ukrainian forces had destroyed six Russian ammunition depots in one day. “We must inflict effective, painful and precise blows on our opponents, who will sooner or later run out of ammunition and fuel,” she said.

Russian official accuses Ukraine of attacking Crimea bridge — The Crimean bridge was damaged after explosions in the early morning of July 17. Video: *Telegram/tvcrimea24*

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said it may take until mid-September for some two-way traffic to be restored on the bridge following the July 17 explosion. Full traffic on the bridge may not be restored until November.

President Putin called the attack a "terrorist act" by Kiev, declaring that appropriate measures would be taken in response. The Russian military launched missile and drone strikes on a series of Ukrainian cities early this morning, apparently in response to the attack on the Crimea bridge.

Observers say the July 17 attack on the Crimean Bridge is not Ukraine’s last attempt to target this iconic structure. As the West transfers weapons with increasingly longer ranges, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Ukraine is more likely to launch a larger attack on the Crimean Bridge.

Boris Rozhin, a prominent pro-Kremlin military blogger, said that after the Crimean bridge was damaged, ferries and large landing ships would transport vehicles from Russia to the peninsula, and that he hoped the bridge would be repaired soon. However, there was no guarantee it would not be attacked again.

"If the Crimea bridge continues to be used for any Russian military purposes, it could remain in Ukraine's crosshairs," said BBC commentator Paul Adams.

Thanh Tam (According to Washington Post, BBC, WSJ, Hill )

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