Kiev goes “in depth” and restarts the battle for the bridges, a campaign carried out with new equipment and tactics already proven.
The raids
In recent days, Ukrainians have suffered numerous setbacks: parts of the railway, commandos and depots have been blown up. On Thursday morning it was aimed at the Chongar Bridge, which provides connections between the Kherson region and Crimea. The images, which surfaced on the internet almost immediately, showed a large crater. Travel delays are occurring and traffic is being diverted to make room for rescue workers. The raids take place in parallel with the slow offensive and present a way to hamper the invaders’ logistics, particularly behind the defensive bastion built in the southern region.
The effects are all the more noticeable the more numerous the targets are hit. Photos have recently surfaced of possible breaches in the pylons of the Cherch Bridge, a strategic and symbolic target apparently attacked with a truck loaded with explosives months ago. Other problems were reported along the lines of communication. However, Moscow has tried to improve supply channels, but with partial success. As with other aspects of the conflict, observers’ judgment on the adjustments has never been unanimous, and some remain skeptical. Others prefer to wait for more concrete evidence.
The weapons
To implement the plan, Ukraine used weapons supplied by NATO – such as the British Storm Shadow cruise missile or its French version Scalp – and planted the saboteurs (partisans, special forces) behind the enemy. The availability of extended-range systems expands the options for action, allows for tracking of occupants, and threatens large concentrations of ammunition. So Zelenskyy continued to call for 300-kilometer-range missiles that could be deployed by the Himars, but the White House didn’t listen, despite rumors from the US that Biden might change his mind.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainians have also been looking for alternative solutions, from using the vehicle bomb detonated in the middle of the Cherch infrastructure to using a radio-controlled kamikaze boat launched under the arches. And now the cruise missiles. According to the Russians, among the wreckage of the vectors found on the bridge there is a gun that indicates French origin, a gun with a range of 300 kilometers.
The frame
There is always a propaganda framework around important war developments. Ukraine delivers a message in information warfare. Even away from the main front and despite the offensive slowdown, there is impact, damage and ability recovery. Moscow, in turn, emphasizes the use of material from NATO: from its sources it was clear what kind of bombs were dropped on Chongar.
The reasons are obvious: the Kremlin reiterates to its citizens that the conflict is now being fought with the Atlantic Alliance, reintroducing the version that the invasion is necessary to respond to an aggressive enemy, justifying all future ones measures and uses them to make threats against anyone Who supports the resistance? In the last few days, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced rules of engagement: if Crimea is bombed, we will respond with attacks on Ukrainian decision-making centers, ie Ukrainian leaders and institutions.