British Ministry of Defense: The Crimean bridge will not be fully operational until September 2023
The attack on the bridge reduced Russia's ability to move military equipment and troops by rail or road
Russia’s efforts to repair the Crimean bridge are ongoing, “but it is unlikely to be fully operational until at least September 2023,” according to the UK Ministry of Defence. CNBC writes about it. The bridge, which is a point of pride for Moscow, was partially damaged in early October after an explosion that Russia blamed on Ukraine, although Kyiv did not claim responsibility for the attack. Two spans of the bridge were seriously damaged, partially collapsing into the Kerch Strait. The railway span was damaged by fire.
The UK Ministry of Defense said the road bridge was due to be closed on 8 November to replace a 64m span, and that three more spans would need to be replaced. However, repairs are likely to take longer than expected.
“While Crimean officials claimed that these additional spans would be installed by December 20, a briefing to President Putin said that work on another carriageway would suspend traffic until March 2023,” the ministry said on Twitter.
“Completion of the replacement of the damaged railway bridge is scheduled for September 2023, although the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia said that the repair period will be accelerated,” the post notes. Repair work will depend heavily on weather conditions in winter.
“The attack on the Crimean bridge disrupted Russia’s logistical supply to Crimea and southern Ukraine, reducing Russia’s ability to move military equipment and troops to the area by rail or road,” the ministry said.
The damage to the bridge, combined with the recent attack on the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol and the likely Russian withdrawal from Kherson in southern Ukraine, “complicates the Russian government’s ability to paint a picture of military success,” the ministry said.
