In Crimea, explosions are becoming more frequent on railway lines. British intelligence sees the alleged acts of sabotage as a danger to Russia.
Sevastopol/Munich - While there are persistent reports that Russian troops have completely taken over the embattled city of Bakhmut, Moscow threatens to lose influence elsewhere in the Ukraine war. According to British intelligence, Russia is losing more and more control over Crimea.
In recent weeks, there have been repeated explosions on the annexed peninsula, which have also damaged railway lines. On May 18, another freight train derailed between Simferopol and Sevastopol. It was the third such incident, presumably another act of sabotage by Ukraine. As a result, the route was closed.
Ukraine war: Acts of sabotage in Crimea to weaken Russian Black Sea Fleet
According to the British Ministry of Defense, which has been releasing daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression on the neighboring country, citing intelligence information, the act serves a single purpose: to prevent supplies to the Russian Black Sea Fleet stationed in Sevastopol.
In Crimea, an important railway line is closed after a train derailment. © IMAGO/Maks Vetrov
"Russia will try to repair the track quickly, but the incident will disrupt deliveries of supplies and possibly weapons, such as Kalibr cruise missiles, to the fleet," the Ministry of Defense in London said on Friday. It is the only train connection to the port of Sevastopol.
Sabotage in Crimea: Putin's security concerns rise
The report goes on to say that the train derailment will increase Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's security concerns about protecting critical infrastructure in Crimea. "Any sabotage in the delicate area will increase the Kremlin's concerns about protecting other important infrastructure in Crimea." The peninsula continues to play an "important psychological and logistical role" in Russia's success in the Ukraine war. (mt)
