Russians face more acute logistical issues following damage to Kerch Bridge - UK intelligence

Logistical issues facing Russian troops in southern Ukraine have become more acute following damage to the Kerch Strait Bridge.

According to Ukrinform, the UK Ministry of Defense said this in its latest intelligence update published on Twitter.

"Logistical issues faced by Russian forces in southern Ukraine have likely become more acute following damage to the Kerch Bridge on 8 October 2022. Repair efforts are ongoing, and it is open to some traffic. However, a large queue of waiting cargo trucks remains backed up near the crossing," the agency said.

According to the update, Russian forces operating in southern Ukraine are likely increasing logistical supply flow via Mariupol in an attempt to compensate for the reduced capacity of the Kerch Bridge.

"With the Russian presence in Kherson strained, and the supply routes through Crimea degraded, the ground line of communication through Zaporizhzhia Oblast is becoming more important to the sustainability of Russia's occupation. The city of Melitopol is a junction of supply routes and hosts a major Russian aviation presence," the ministry added.

Early on October 8, an explosion and a massive fire were recorded on the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting mainland Russia and the temporarily occupied Crimea. A freight train was seen engulfed in flames on the railway section of the bridge, while part of the bridge collapsed altogether on the motorway part.

An adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, commenting on the incident, said it was a manifestation of the conflict between the FSB plus private military companies and the Ministry of Defense plus General Staff.

On October 9, there were reports of several kilometers-long traffic jams near the Crimean Bridge. According to local residents, the crossing remains open only to trucks, while all traffic on the bridge goes along a single intact lane.