Military analyst Sean Bell answered a reader’s question this week about why Ukraine is finding it difficult to completely destroy the Kerch Bridge. The Kerch Bridge is Europe’s longest bridge, connecting Russia to the city of Kerch in Crimea, which was annexed by Moscow in 2014.
The bridge consists of a roadway and railway supported by concrete stilts and steel arches. Despite a recent attack by Ukraine using suicide sea drones, the bridge’s design proved resilient, with only the road surface being damaged.
Bell explained that some bridges are challenging to destroy due to their design, and the focus of any military strike on the Kerch Bridge would be the concrete stilts. Damaging or destroying individual spans would have limited impact on the bridge’s overall structural integrity.
While the Kerch Bridge is a vital supply route for Russian military forces, Ukraine has demonstrated the capability to temporarily deny its use to Russia. Analysts believe that Ukraine may eventually focus its offensive efforts on Crimea, particularly targeting the strategically important port of Sevastopol.
Although Ukraine faces challenges in completely liberating Crimea, targeting the Kerch Bridge could disrupt Russian reinforcements. For now, Ukraine is concentrating on specific strategic targets, but a more determined attack on the Kerch Bridge may be on the horizon. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve, with potential implications for the region’s stability and security.