Putin also takes umbrage at the Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Crimea Bridge

• Surprise attack on the bridge connecting Russia and Crimea Peninsula occurred October 8.
• Although the bridge is now damaged, it is still standing. However, attackers may have also sought psychological impact.
• Putin was proud of the bridge’s construction and attacked it in Crimea.

An explosion rocked the bridge linking mainland Russia and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed to in 2014.

A westbound span of a road bridge was damaged by the blast and a rail bridge was also damaged.

Ukraine had in the past threatenedThe bridge was not officially taken into responsibility by the Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Kyiv was allegedly responsible. It was called “it”Terrorist attack

The blast caused road and rail movement to stop on the bridge. This was after increased civilian traffic due to the Ukrainian attack on Russian bases in Crimea, August. The number of participants was smallHeavy trucks will cross the river by boat, instead.

Bridge over troubled waters

The Russian war effort against Ukraine is made more effective by the Crimean bridge. It is the shortest land route between Russia and Crimea, and Russian forces used this bridge. To transport large quantities of equipmentBefore and after the attack that began in February.

Important military infrastructure is also located on the peninsula. It is home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, as well as numerous military bases and airports. Crimea is crucial for Russia’s operational and logistical support to Ukraine’s southern front, where it has suffered setbacks in Kherson.

According to the British Ministry of Defense, the attack “degraded” Russian supply routes through Crimea and makes logistical issues at Russia’s southern front more acute. This month.

Russia is now required to transport troops, equipment, supplies and other items across the Kerch Strait either by boat or through the occupied regions of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, in southern Ukraine. This will compensate for reduced bridge traffic. It takes longer.

“A large queue of cargo trucks” It was observedThe Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian side of strait is likely to see an increase in logistical supply flows through Mariupol, Donetsk in an October 17 update.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, there has been minimal damage to the bridge’s rail portion. This means that traffic will soon pick up. an assessmentAfter the attack.

The bridge may have suffered structural damage, and could be weaker. According to the report, this will require a reduction in the frequency and weight of rail traffic. Colin Caprani & Sam RigbyExperts in blast engineering and bridge safety.

Russian officials have not provided any information about the impact of this blast. However, a government decree issued this month ordered repairs to be made. By July 1, 2023The damage may be indicated by the following:

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

The military impact of the attack was limited but that wasn’t the main goal.

Insider learned that the attack on the Crimean bridge was partly intended to send a message from Chris Miller, a professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Russian media celebrated the achievement of the bridge, which spans 12 miles.

Putin: “This is truly historic day.” At a ceremony to open the bridge’s section of road in 2018. Putin stated that Russian leaders had been seeking to build such bridges for many decades. He also said that this miracle was now possible.

It also happened a day following Putin’s 70th Birthday.

Miller, who is also the Director for Eurasia at Foreign Policy Research Institute said, “Because Putin has personally associated with Crimea’s seizure, any attack upon the peninsula is an insult to his signature accomplishment.”

Miller explained to Insider that “the Ukrainians want delegitimize Russian rule over Crimea and show that Russia has a weaker hold on the peninsula.” Miller added that Russia now knows that Russia’s influence over the occupied peninsula “in a way that it hasn’t been since 2014”.

After the August attacks, Russians, many of whom were vacationers, tried to flee Crimea with reports of 38,000 cars. departing in one day.

Putin declared, “This week”medium readiness“in territories bordering Ukraine, likely setting up the scene for further measures to support war efforts. But the Kremlin Handling the warThis has led to a decline in domestic support and may have a further impact on Putin’s image.

Miller stated, “The war has in general substantially diminished Russians’ trust Putin’s ability as president,”

Miller stated that Putin’s repressive regime at home was justified by his ability to maintain stability and competence. “Now he’s incompetently leading war in a manner that has destabilized Russia.”

Constantine Atlamazoglou focuses on European and transatlantic security. He is a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in security studies and European Affairs. He can be reached at LinkedIn.