UK Intelligence: Strikes on Chonhar bridges in Crimea complicate Russia’s logistics

The Ukrainian strikes on the Chonhar bridges, which connect Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland, have complicated the Russians' logistics.

The Russians' pontoon crossings will not replace the bridges, Caliber.Az reports referring to the Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine, which is published by the UK Defence Ministry on August 23.

As of mid-August 2023, Russian forces were continuing to employ pontoon bridges at Chonhar and Henichesk crossing points on the border between southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea.

Both permanent bridges sustained damage from Ukrainian precision strikes in early August 2023.

The pontoon bridges are unlikely to be able to fully sustain the flow of heavy vehicles carrying ammunition and weaponry to the front.

The resulting bottlenecks mean Russian forces are partially reliant on a long diversion via Armiansk, northern Crimea. This is adding further friction to Russia’s logistics network in the south.