Ukraine will not wait: Intelligence on Russia's post-storm defense restoration of Crimean Bridge
Andrii Yusov, representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The Russian occupiers are attempting to address the destructive aftermath of recent storms in the Black Sea concerning the defensive structures of the illegally constructed Crimean Bridge. However, the defense forces have no intention of waiting for the aggressors to restore them, according to Andrii Yusov, representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Responding to the host's inquiry about damages caused by the storm to a barge and barricades that protected the passage between mainland Russia and the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, the spokesperson mentioned that other defensive objects of the intruders were affected as well.
"It's not just about the bridge. Serious damages have also been sustained by enemy defensive structures in Sevastopol, particularly in Novorossiysk," stated the representative of the military intelligence.
According to Yusov, the occupants fear further Ukrainian strikes on the affected objects after severe weather conditions.
"Indeed, the enemy rightfully fears that the Ukrainian Security and Defense Forces will take advantage of this. We won't disclose all secrets, but their internal deadline is to fix the issues within two weeks. Understandably, Ukraine won't wait," emphasized the officer.
Furthermore, the military intelligence representative discussed the impact of adverse weather conditions on the aggressor's fleet in the Black Sea waters.
"The aggressor state's ships don't feel secure, and as a result, some of them are currently at anchor. Hence, the weather has disrupted their activities," stated Yusov.
The consequences of the storm for the occupiers' defense in Crimea
Since November 26, a strong storm has hit the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, described in the press as the most severe in the last hundred years. As a result of the storm's impact, there's confirmed information about at least one casualty, and half a million subscribers were left without electricity.
Additionally, the Russian occupiers' trenches on the coast of Yevpatoriia were washed away by the waves. The storm also destroyed barriers protecting the Kerch Strait Bridge and the Sevastopol Bay from potential attacks.
On December 1, analysts released satellite images demonstrating significant damage caused by the storm to a barge, which is part of the Russian defense line of the Crimean Bridge.
It is also worth noting that, according to the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the storm in Crimea affected the pace of the conflict but did not completely halt hostilities.
