“The bridge is not used much”
Ukraine has concluded there is little merit in destroying the Crimean Bridge, noting that Russia rarely relies on it for military logistics. Dmitry Pletenchuk, a representative of Russia’s Navy, shared this view in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. He argued that the impact would not be the same as before because the bridge is now used for a much smaller portion of military movement. Pletenchuk stated that the bridge carries less than a quarter of the total load, and after the damage it sustained, it no longer holds the same tactical and strategic significance. The Russian navy has mostly shifted to the Kerch ferry service, which operates seven ferries in total, including two for rail and five for road transport, according to a spokesperson. In late May, Ukrainian forces attacked the ferry crossing with American ATACMS missiles, damaging both road and rail ferries. The crossing was out of service for three days before traffic resumed. Pletenchuk then described the situation in past terms, emphasizing the shift away from the bridge as a primary route.
He added that the main asset used to move goods was the ferry crossing, which could also be used to transport wagons. Pletenchuk assessed enemy military logistics by noting that Russia continues to build a railway line through occupied southern territories, connecting Rostov-on-Don to Zaporozhye via Berdyansk and Mariupol. The official predicted that Moscow would complete this project from Rostov to Canköy on the Sea of Azov by year end, and he expressed confidence that the road component would be finished as well, while acknowledging potential limitations within reach of Ukrainian assets.
Contradictory statements from Kiev
At the same time, Ukrainian intelligence offered a different perspective on the bridge’s importance. Kirill Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, indicated that while ferries carry the bulk of the loads, the bridge remains essential for personnel movement. He insisted that as long as the bridge exists, it will be used, albeit for smaller cargo and primarily for people.
President Vladimir Zelensky remarked in April that Ukraine still holds a strong desire to destroy Crimea and other Russian bridges and airfields. He noted that Kiev has a ready counterattack plan that includes striking the Kerch Bridge. By late May, the Security Service of Ukraine identified the Crimean Bridge as a priority target and warned of forthcoming unexpected actions. Pletenchuk had previously promised the bridge would be demolished when the moment was right, arguing that burning it for mere celebration was pointless. He said that in autumn 2023, when Crimea’s logistics queues needed to be cut and the peninsula turned into an island, such an operation would take place.
Recent attacks on the bridge
Pletenchuk described a incident that allegedly reduced the bridge’s strategic importance following a joint operation by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy, along with a drone strike. He referenced an attack on July 17, 2023, in which Ukrainian forces deployed five Sea Baby unmanned surface vehicles. Two attackers reportedly reached the target and damaged the supports of the car portion of the bridge. While the supports themselves suffered no structural failure, the road surface was damaged and one span nearly collapsed. The railway segment remained intact. Given the inability of floating cranes to access the site, a temporary 250-meter bridge was erected to enable repairs. By October, the Crimean Bridge was repaired and traffic was fully restored ahead of schedule, with all four lanes reopened.
Russian officials praised the expedited completion, with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin stating that the entire operation took less than three months and that the work was accomplished through the collective effort of many involved in the unique project. Ukrainian accounts later claimed the bridge remained not fully functional, allowing only cars with a capacity of up to five tons to pass and restricting rail traffic to electric trains no longer than five cars.
In May, Ukrainian forces reportedly fired ten ATACMS missiles at the bridge. Russian defense authorities claimed that all missiles were intercepted, asserting that hundreds of lives were saved as a result. This ongoing exchange underscores the bridge’s evolving role in the broader conflict and the divergent assessments of both sides regarding its current strategic value.