Russia has been fortifying the Kerch Bridge with barges, according to the UK’s defense ministry. The purpose of these barges is to help defend the bridge and shipping channel from potential attacks by Ukraine. The bridge is a key military artery for Russia, used to transport military freight into Crimea and southwest Ukraine. The UK’s defense ministry reported that eight barges were installed on the southern side of the Kerch Bridge between May 10 and May 22 to reduce the angles of approach for Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).
The installation of these barges is not the first time that such barriers have been placed near the Kerch Bridge. Previous barriers were damaged by storms, reducing their effectiveness. Ukrainians view the bridge, built in 2018 after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, as an illegal construction. The bridge has been the target of two successful attacks by Ukrainians since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The first attack in October 2022 saw a fuel tank explosion leading to the collapse of a section of the bridge, while the second attack in July targeted the bridge’s support struts with sea drones.
The repeated attacks on the Kerch Bridge have seemingly caused the Russians to stop using it, as Russian military freight trains were not seen on the bridge between February and mid-April. Instead, Russia has focused on a new railway route along the Azov Sea, passing through Russian-occupied Mariupol and Berdiansk before ending in Crimea. This shift in transportation routes suggests that the Russians may believe the Kerch Bridge is no longer a viable option for their military needs. Dmitry Pletenchuk, a spokesman for Ukraine’s southern military command, stated that the Russian occupiers are aware that the Crimean Bridge is doomed and are looking for alternate routes to transport their military supplies.
Russia’s defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the status of the Kerch Bridge and the placement of the barges. The ongoing tensions and military activities in the region highlight the strategic importance of the Kerch Bridge and the efforts by both Russia and Ukraine to control and secure the transportation routes in the area. The presence of barges and other defensive measures near the bridge indicates the continued focus on defending this critical infrastructure amidst the conflict between the two countries. The situation remains fluid, and further developments regarding the Kerch Bridge and surrounding areas are likely as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
