Nothing but terrorism: What’s driving Russia to strike bridges in Odesa region
Queues of trucks at the border with Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Russian forces are attacking bridges on Ukraine's southern border in the Odesa region. In recent days, they struck the bridge in Zatoka and later attacked the bridge in Maiaky. This has disrupted logistics at the border, preventing people from crossing checkpoints in the Odesa region for now.
What Russia’s goal is and what risks this poses are detailed in the RBC-Ukraine report.
Attack on the bridges
On December 14, Russian forces attacked the bridge in Zatoka, targeting it with around 40 Shahed drones, about 20 of which hit their mark. On December 18, drones struck the bridge in Maiaky.
The following day, the Odesa Regional Military Administration reported that due to the previous day’s attack, cargo traffic on the M-15 Odesa–Reni highway had been halted.
"At night, the enemy struck a transport infrastructure facility in the Odesa district once again within 24 hours. As a result of the drone strikes, damage was recorded. Traffic on the Odesa–Reni highway is temporarily suspended in both directions. Rescue and utility services are working on site," the administration stated.
Truck queue at the border (photo: Getty Images)
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported that due to the attack on an infrastructure facility near the village of Maiaky, access to border checkpoints has become difficult. This concerns the checkpoints Palanka–Maiaky–Udobne, Reni–Giurgiuleşti, Tabaki–Myrne, Vynohradivka–Vulcănești, Starokozache–Tudora, Novi Troiany–Çadır Lunga, Orlivka–İshakçı, Dolynske, Zaliznychne, Lisove, and Maloyaroslavets.
In a comment to RBC-Ukraine, State Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said that for now, people are advised to use checkpoints in Vinnytsia and Chernivtsi regions. However, there is no critical situation at the checkpoints.
"If we talk about the possibility of further travel due to the Russian attack and restrictions on crossing the southern border of the Odesa region, alternative checkpoints remain Podilskyi–Mohylyuk and Mamalyha–Sokyriany. Mamalyha–Sokyriany is a recommendation for citizens if passenger traffic at Mohylyuk–Podilskyi increases. Currently, we do not see a significant increase in passenger flow there. There is no critical situation," Demchenko said.
However, the situation on the southern border remains difficult. In addition, on December 19, the Russian forces struck Maiaky with a ballistic missile.
Russia’s goal
Russian forces are striking bridges that connect transport routes in the Odesa region and are located near the border with Moldova.
"This is a route into logistics on the Danube. Of course, in such a case, we will try to set up ferry crossings, but they are vulnerable to Shahed drones," said electronic warfare and communications expert Serhii Beskrestnov, aka "Flash," on his Telegram channel.
For a week now, Russia has been actively attacking Odesa and the surrounding region. During this time, they have significantly damaged the region’s energy infrastructure, leaving several settlements and all of Odesa temporarily without electricity.
Now, the enemy is attempting to strike critical infrastructure, greatly complicating logistics within the region and access to the border. According to the spokesperson for the Defense Forces of the Southern Operational Command, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the attacks on bridges are nothing more than terrorism.
"Bridges are not military targets; they are civilian objects, part of an international transport corridor. Striking them is something only terrorists do when they hit such infrastructure. This is transport infrastructure serving people, civilians. And the strike on the bridge in Maiaky further confirms that Russia is a country that ignores rules and norms of warfare, international humanitarian law, and everything else," Voloshyn told RBC-Ukraine.
Military expert Serhii Bratchuk echoed this view. According to him, the Russian forces are trying to pressure residents of the southern region. First, they struck the energy sector, attempting to leave people without light and heat ahead of the holidays. Now, they are attacking bridges.
"There is a very high degree of psychological pressure on people, aiming to spread panic. Of course, this complicates certain logistical routes, but to say that the Russians will succeed in what they declare — dividing and isolating the region — I would not be quick to draw such conclusions," Bratchuk told RBC-Ukraine.
In addition, the active attacks are accompanied by pressure on the diplomatic front. Russia’s primary goal is to undermine the psychological resilience of Ukrainians and make them more "compliant."
"We see that this information component usually aligns with geopolitical communications; it is aimed at influencing our society, in particular. Pushing us toward negativity toward the authorities. Previously, they even threatened to cut Ukraine off from the sea. For me, the purpose of this information and psychological operation is clear," Bratchuk added.
From a military standpoint, however, these attacks give Russia no advantage and do not affect combat operations.
As of December 18, energy specialists had found technical solutions to restore electricity to nearly all residents of Odesa and the region. However, emergency outages remain possible due to the risk of overloading the power system.
On the same day, December 18, residents of Odesa blocked streets due to power outages.
Odesa Regional Military Administration head Oleh Kiper reminded that as a result of Russia’s terrorist attacks, the region’s energy infrastructure suffered extensive damage. Repeated attacks, shelling, and air raid alerts significantly complicate restoration work at these facilities.
