UK intelligence assesses Russia’s ability to protect Crimean bridge from strikes

On 14 October 2023, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin declared that damage from Ukraine’s July 2023 strike on the Crimean bridge had been repaired ahead of schedule.

“Although fully operational, use of the bridge remains restricted due to procedures enacted following the first Ukrainian attack in October 2022. Trucks and fuel supplies continue to be moved by ferry,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the UK Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 19 October 2023.

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The report said that the Crimean bridge will remain a vital link in sustaining Russia’s occupation of Crimea and its forces in southern Ukraine.

“However, it is now almost certainly a significant security burden requiring multi-domain protection, including the use of air defence systems and crews who would otherwise be deployed elsewhere. Russian security forces’ confidence in their ability to protect this large and vulnerable structure will continue to be threatened by the ingenuity of Ukraine’s military and security services,” the report added.