UK Defence Intelligence has discovered that Russia has created an underwater blockade of submerged ships to deter Ukrainian attacks.
The barrier has been made to block Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USV) – also known as drone boats - attacks against the Crimean Bridge.
The bridge, also referred to as Kerch Strait, is the only direct link between the transport network of Russia and the Crimean Peninsula.
Russia has placed several vessels at the southern part of the bridge, UK intelligence has stated.
The building of the pivotal bridge in 2016
Wikimedia Commons
These vessels are 160 meters apart and are in the same place as the Ukrainian “Sea Baby” USV attacks on 17 July.
The Ukrainian attack caused damaged to the road lanes leading up to the bridge.
It was the second attack on the pivotal crossing, which was opened by Putin in 2018.
Russia is immensely dependent upon the bridge, which UK Defence Intelligence has described as “a bottleneck for military logistics support”.
“The Kerch Strait is a bottleneck for military logistics support to Russian forces in occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. Russia is heavily reliant on the Crimean bridge and ferries to cross the Straits,” UK Defence Intelligence said in a statement released on social media today.
The intelligence organisation said that Russia is creating a barrier to reduce the harm from future Ukrainian assaults.
“Russia is employing a range of passive defences such as smoke generators and underwater barriers, alongside active defence measures such as air defence systems, to strengthen the survivability of water crossings and minimise damage from future attacks,” the MoD stated.
“The bridge's importance for both logistics and symbolism of Russian occupation mandates these extensive protection measures.”
The Bridge has been seen as a symbol of Putin's desire to take over Ukraine
ReutersAn attempt at protecting the bridge was carried out on 12 August. A truck, known as the TDA-3 vehicle, which is designed to generate aerosol smokescreens, was used.
Smoke was activated to thwart any incoming air threats.
The 17 July successful attack on the Kerch Strait was the first time the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed responsibility for the operation.
“Sea surface drones are a unique invention of the Security Service of Ukraine,” said the head of the SBU.
“None of the private companies are involved. Using these drones we have recently conducted a successful hit of the Crimean bridge, the big assault ship Olengorskiy Gornyak and SIG tanker.”
