The Kersch Bridge, the vital Line of Communication (GLOC) from Russia to Russian-occupied Crimea, has been severely damaged. The rail section is engulfed in flames, and at least one of the highway sections has collapsed into the Black Sea. There is a massive uncontrolled fire on the structure. There are reports a Russian supply chain was on the bridge at the time of the explosion. Video confirms that at least one section has been destroyed.
The Russian Ministry of Defense is saying it was an accident and a railcar exploded, while others claim Ukrainian special forces or missiles destroyed the bridge. United States provided HIMARS is incapable of causing this much damage. ATACMS reportedly could not cause this degree of destruction either.
This is a crippling blow to the Russian war effort and will likely cause panic among the civilian population on the Crimea Peninsula. If the bridge is inoperative, the only way in or out of Crimea is by boat or through the Southern Ukraine land bridge via Mariupol and through Russian-occupied Donbas.
This truly changes everything depending on the degree of the damage and will have an incalculable impact on Russian logistics if the bridge is out for more than a few days.
Luke
2022-10-08 10:55:21 +0000 UTC