Analysts: The Crimean bridge is no longer an effective military target for Ukraine

It is noted that the Russian Federation switched to the use of land routes through the occupied territory.

“Analysis of satellite images shows that the bridge is almost empty of traffic, so it can no longer be an effective military target for the Ukrainian armed forces, analysts say,” the publication said.

It is said that from the obtained photos it can be seen that during the last three months, almost no freight military trains have been running on the railway line of the bridge:

“During this period, February 29 only one Russian freight train was seen with approximately 55 wagons of fuel”.

The spy agency said there was no movement on the bridge involving Russian military forces in March and April.

It is noted that Russia’s use of the bridge has significantly decreased since 2023. July 17 Ukraine attacked it with military drones and blew up part of the roadway and railway line.

According to Artyom Staroshek, CEO of Molfar, the decision by the Russian authorities to stop using the Crimea bridge to supply Russian forces coincided with a sharp increase in the flow of cargo through Taman in the Rostov region.

“Kyiv should now focus on Melitopol, Berdiansk and Mariupol, where Russia is building new railway lines connecting these occupied regions of Ukraine with Crimea and the Russian mainland,” he said.

The new railway line, which runs from Akimovka in Melitopol to Berdiansk and Mariupol before reaching Rostov in Russia, is believed to be used by Russian troops for a new offensive.

According to A. Starošek, Ukraine would benefit from directing its forces to the following land routes instead of spending resources on the Crimean bridge:

“It is these routes that currently pose a more serious threat than the defunct Crimean Bridge rail track… Western aid must also be provided in a way that can cover Ukraine’s need to hit these hotspots with Russian munitions.”

Aviation expert Konstantinas Krivolaps previously expressed the opinion that now the Crimean bridge no longer has a critical logistical value, there are more important priority targets that need to be struck:

“The main weapons are not passing through the Crimean bridge now, only a small part of it is passing through it. Military experts and analysts directly dealing with logistics issues say that basically everything is transported by ferries, and everything else via Rostov, Taganrog, etc.”