Russia dependent on ferries: London: Dnipro bridges no longer usable for supplies

For several weeks, Ukrainian forces have been firing at several bridges in the occupied Cherson region.

Russia dependent on ferries: London: Dnipro bridges no longer usable for supplies

For several weeks, Ukrainian forces have been firing at several bridges in the occupied Cherson region. The tactic appears to be working: according to British intelligence, supplies to Russian troops on the west bank of the Dnipro depend on command ferries.

According to British information, Russia is running out of opportunities to supply its own troops in southern Ukraine with supplies. The two main road bridges connecting Russian forces to the occupied area on the west bank of the Dnipro in the Kherson region are unlikely to be usable for larger supplies, the British Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence update.

Accordingly, the bridge at the Nova Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power station has been impassable for heavy military vehicles since August 10 due to Ukrainian shelling. Previously, Ukraine had already targeted the Antonivka car bridge further south near the occupied city of Kherson.

"In the last few days there have only been superficial repairs," the British Ministry of Defense assesses the condition of the car bridge. "The structure is probably damaged." Since an important railway bridge over the Dnipro near Cherson was also damaged, Russia has had to use a ferry system with pontoon bridges since the end of July to be able to supply its troops on the western bank of the river.

According to British intelligence, even if Russia were to succeed in repairing the bridges on a large scale, they remain a major weak point that could be shot at again at any time. "The supplies for the thousands of Russian soldiers on the west bank almost certainly depend on the two pontoon bridges," is the conclusion. The size of the Russian ammunition stockpile is thus becoming a key factor in determining combat readiness.

Russia had captured the southern Ukrainian region on the Black Sea immediately after the start of the war at the end of February. Ukraine also wants to retake the area using heavy weapons supplied by the US and other NATO countries. According to consistent reports, it plans to cut off and isolate Russian troops in the region from supply lines by destroying the bridges.