Hodges: Ukrainian intelligence, not ATACMS or Storm Shadow, could destroy Crimean Bridge
Photo: Former US Army Europe commander Ben Hodges (Getty Images)
The liberation of Crimea could be decisive for the entire war in Ukraine. Ukrainian Armed Forces are working to ensure that Russia cannot use Crimea for military purposes, stated former US Army Europe commander Ben Hodges in an interview with Hromadske.
He emphasized that Ukraine must do everything it can to prevent Russia’s naval and air forces from operating freely in Crimea. He believes that Russia should lose the ability to use Crimea as a logistical hub.
Hodges pointed out that most of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has already been withdrawn from Sevastopol. This is why Ukrainian forces ensure that Russia cannot use Crimea for military purposes.
The former commander reminded that Ukrainian forces had destroyed most of the large ferries that Russia had used to supply military equipment to Crimea. However, the Crimean Bridge remains, as the Russians have done much to protect it. He is confident that when the time comes, it will be destroyed too.
Hodges was also asked whether the Crimean Bridge could be destroyed by Taurus or ATACMS missiles. He believes that these are not the right weapons for such a task.
He explained that these missiles are not designed to destroy bridges. While they might create a hole in the bridge, this would not be enough. The bridge has too much steel and concrete, and thus a large amount of explosives of various types would be needed.
Hodges stated that destroying the Crimean Bridge would require a well-planned operation.
He emphasized that a single strike would not be enough to take down such a structure. Hodges believed that if anyone in the world could bring down the bridge, it would be General Budanov. He is confident that there are people in the Ukrainian intelligence working on a plan to destroy the Crimean Bridge.
The situation near the Crimean Bridge
Earlier, we reported that on October 8, 2022, a truck was blown up on the Crimean Bridge, causing not only an explosion but also a massive fire.
Then, in July 2023, there was another attack on the Crimean Bridge, which resulted in the destruction of two spans. The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Maliuk, also confirmed the agency's involvement in the attack, stating that it was organized with the help of Sea Baby drones.
