What are boom barriers and how Russia is actually sinking ferries near the Crimean bridge
What kind of construction is being built by the Russian occupiers, and what its purpose may actually be
A satellite image has appeared in the public domain, showing that the Russian invaders have sunk at least five vessels near the damaged section of the Crimean Bridge, on the left side of the “exit” from the Azov Sea. It is likely that the old ferries were used for this purpose, which in turn can be used as the basis for a new boom barrier, which should protect the bridge from new possible attacks by Ukrainian kamikaze boats.
OSINT analyst H I Sutton wrote about this on his Twitter profile.
***UPDATE***#Russia has been placing block ships across western approaches to Kerch Bridge, following #Ukrainian USV attack.
Reports suggest these are sunken ferries. #OSINT pic.twitter.com/7lZBDZeBtN
– H I Sutton (@CovertShores) August 28, 2023
Defense Express adds some details that will better clarify the situation. To begin with, we need to explain what a “boom barrier” is. In fact, it can be called a chain of large buoys with a diameter of 1.5 meters or more, which are supposed to create obstacles to sea waves or moving objects.
During World War I and World War II, boom barriers were used as one of the elements of physical defense of naval bases. At the time of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the booms were also used for civilian purposes, including blocking the area of oil leakage into the sea or simply to fence off areas from sea waves.
It seems that these two factors “stimulated” the racists to use booby traps as an element of defense against our kamikaze boats. Moreover, we can recall that, for example, satellite images as of June 2022 were publicly available, showing the Russian occupiers fencing their submarines with booms while loading Kalibr on board.
In turn, the way in which the racists sank these ferries (or other vessels) does not really leave room for unambiguous interpretations as to the purpose of the sinking. Our state does not currently have control over the Azov Sea coast, so it would be more logical to erect a boom barrier on the side “outbound” from the Black Sea near the Crimean bridge. And here we have a building on the side of the Azov Sea.
Moreover, these several vessels were sunk right in front of the area that was damaged in the attack on July 17, and repair work is still underway. Therefore, it is more logical to assume that the Nazis could have actually flooded these ferries in order to build an auxiliary structure necessary for repair work, such as a “technological bridge.” The possibility of erecting a boom barrier there should not be ruled out, but it will be more of an additional option.
