British Ministry of Defence: Crimean bridge will not be fully operational until September 2023
Attack on bridge has reduced russia's ability to move military equipment and troops by rail or road
russia's attempts to repair the Crimean bridge continue, “but it is unlikely to be fully operational until at least September 2023,” according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence.
Source. CNBC.
Details. The bridge, which is a source of pride for moscow, was partially damaged in early October after an explosion that russia blamed on Ukraine, although Kyiv did not claim responsibility for the attack. Two road spans of the bridge were severely damaged, partially collapsing into the Kerch Strait. The railway span was damaged by fire.
The U.K. defence ministry noted that, on November 8, the road bridge had to be closed to allow the movement and installation of a replacement 64-meter span, and that three more spans would need to be replaced. Repairs are likely to take longer than expected, however.
“Although Crimean officials have claimed these additional spans will be in place by 20 December, a briefing provided to president putin stated that works to the other carriageway would cause disruption to road traffic until March 2023,” the ministry said on Twitter.
“Replacement of the damaged rail bridge has been contracted for completion by September 2023, although russia’s Deputy Prime Minister stated the repair timeline would be expedited,” it noted. The repair activity will be heavily dependent on weather conditions during the winter.
“The Crimean bridge attack has disrupted russian logistics supplies for Crimea and southern Ukraine, reducing russia’s ability to move military equipment and troops into the area by rail or road,” the ministry noted.
The damage to the bridge, coupled with the recent attack on the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol and the probable withdrawal from Kherson in southern Ukraine, “all complicate the russian government’s ability to paint a picture of military success,” the ministry said.
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