As of: April 5, 2024, 7:06 p.m
By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi
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Press
Split
The destruction of the Kerch Bridge between the Crimean Peninsula and Russia is one of Ukraine's most important goals. Now Kyiv named a specific time.
Kerch - It has been a thorn in Ukraine's side for a long time: the Kerch Bridge, which connects the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula, which has been occupied by Russia since 2014. The bridge has great significance for both sides, both militarily and symbolically. Because for Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, it is an important military supply route. At the same time it symbolizes Russian rule over the peninsula. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the bridge's destruction is imminent.
Ukraine aims to destroy Crimean bridge: “First half of 2024”
“We will destroy the bridge in the first half of 2024,” an official from Ukrainian military intelligence HUR told British newspaper
The Guardian
. Ukrainian officials say another attack on the bridge, which has already been attacked twice, and its destruction are "inevitable." If you believe these words, a third attack on the bridge seems within reach.
The official who gave the time frame is confident. A large part of the funds have already been accumulated to bring about the destruction of the bridge. Apparently the plan is already underway, which aims to “minimize” Russia’s naval presence in the Black Sea: approved by Head of State Volodymyr Zelenskyj personally. Ukraine repeatedly attacks Russian military ships and bases in the Black Sea. Of course, Crimea is also being targeted.
A recurring target of Ukrainian attacks: Russia's Crimean Bridge in the Strait of Kerch. Without the intelligence of the Atesh partisans, Ukraine would have no chance of giving Russia hell. (Archive image) © IMAGO/Vladimir Mordunov
HUR official criticizes European fear of escalation: “We have been at war for two years”
According to Ukrainian officials, the means to destroy the bridge are already in Kiev's hands. Nevertheless, it is said that Western weapons would further accelerate the process. For example, Ukraine is still demanding Taurus cruise missiles from Germany. The now prominent rockets that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has no intention of supplying and have become the substance of a wiretapping scandal in the Air Force.
Not only Germany, but also other European countries, repeatedly base their arms deliveries on the likelihood of a possible, major escalation if even more and, above all, more powerful weapons are handed over to Ukraine. Vadym Skybytskyi, deputy to HUR boss Kyrlo Budanov, has no understanding of this. “What does escalation mean for us? We have been at war for two years, it is a daily process,” the major general told
The Guardian
.
His justification for the necessity of attacks on Crimea and other Russian regions that lie outside the current combat zone: A military victory against Russia is currently impossible. He invokes Russia's military sovereignty and Ukraine's scarce artillery ammunition. There is also a shortage of fighter jets. Therefore, Ukraine has “no choice” and must take the fight behind enemy lines.
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Russia increases security in Crimea: military transport with civilian freighters
It's not just Ukraine that is preparing for an attack on the Crimean Bridge. Preparations are also underway in the Russian military to ward off a possible Ukrainian attack, as the pro-Ukrainian Atesh guerrilla movement reported in the short message service Telegram. Accordingly, Russia is stationing S-300 and Pantsir air defense systems near the bridge.
A source in the Atesh movement told the Kyiv Post that the Russians would withdraw their air defenses from Russian regions and bring them to Crimea. This is done, among other things, with civilian freighters - apparently in order not to become the target of Ukrainian attacks.
(bb)