Ukrainian strikes damage key bridges in Crimea isolation campaign- Russian work arounds

Russia has been working on ways to get around this obstacle

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In recent days, Ukrainian Armed Forces have damaged three key bridges at land entry points into Russian-occupied Crimea.

In the early hours of June 11, Ukraine’s Defense Forces conducted an airstrike on the bridge spanning the Crimea Canal in Armyansk, currently under Russian occupation. 

Residents of Armyansk reported hearing explosions at around 1:57 a.m., with reports confirming a strike on the road bridge, which has since sustained damage. Initial information also indicates that another bridge, located at the entrance to Krasnoperekopsk from Armyansk, was damaged as well.

Prior to this, on June 9 and 10, Ukrainian forces launched missile strikes on the Chonhar Bridge and on another bridge connecting Russian-held Henichesk to the Arabat Spit. These actions have effectively rendered all major land entry bridges into annexed Crimea unusable.

Back in May, Ukraine’s Defense Forces began an operation aimed at isolating Russian troops on the occupied peninsula. As part of this campaign, missile and drone strikes have targeted bridges and key roadways connecting Russia-via Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog-to Crimea through other occupied cities such as Mariupol, Berdyansk, Melitopol, and Dzhankoi.

The strategy to blockade Crimea’s land corridor appears to be working. The commander of Russia’s “Vostok” troop grouping has reportedly banned movement of military cargo along the Mariupol-Berdyansk-Melitopol-Simferopol route in occupied Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian media is reporting on the work arounds

The first alternative route runs through the towns of Novooleksiivka, Askania-Nova, Chaplynka, and Myrne, from where vehicles can reach Armiansk.

The second detour option also begins in Novooleksiivka but then runs through Hromivka, Chaplynka, and Myrne, ending in Armiansk.

Both routes pass over the bridge from Myrne to Highway E97, which leads to Armiansk. This bridge was also under attack but likely sustained no significant damage.

Meanwhile, the Kerch Bridge, which connects the peninsula to Russian territory, remains operational, though traffic across it remains significantly restricted.

Strict restrictions on tonnage and vehicle types are in effect on the Kerch Bridge; in particular, electric vehicles are completely banned from using it.

That’s likely related to the explosive battery issue with EV’s.