Moscow, Russia – In a significant escalation of the conflict, Russian officials reported on Tuesday that the strategic Chonhar Bridge, linking Crimea and the Kherson region, sustained serious damage in attacks by Ukrainian drones. This marks the second such attack in two consecutive nights.
Ukrainian strikes target Crimea’s logistical lifeline
Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed official, announced via Telegram that the bridge was completely closed to traffic. Saldo also advised drivers to use the nearby Perekop Pass as an alternative route to reach the mainland. This was done in an effort to maintain the flow of logistical supplies upon which Russian forces in the region depend.
These intensified strikes are part of a broader Ukrainian military strategy that began last May. This strategy aims to gradually encircle Crimea, which Moscow considers a strategic military depth and a key logistical base for its forces since its annexation in 2014. The effects of this campaign are becoming increasingly apparent in the lives of Crimean residents. The region has recently experienced severe fuel rationing amid concerns that the tourism season, on which Russia relies heavily, will be affected.
Russian response in Kharkiv: dead and wounded
Meanwhile, on the eastern front, the Russian response continued unabated, with the Russian military launching a large-scale, coordinated attack. This attack included missiles and drones targeting the town of Chuhuiv in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian local authorities reported that the attack resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians and injuries to three others, with civilian infrastructure in the town also damaged by the nighttime shelling.
Air warfare: 148 Russian targets intercepted
In a related development, the Ukrainian Air Force revealed the scale of the Russian air attacks. It announced that it detected 168 aerial targets, including missiles and drones, on Tuesday morning. Ukrainian air defenses confirmed successfully intercepting 148 of them. This indicates the intensity of the ongoing Russian bombardment, aimed at overwhelming Ukrainian air defense networks.
This mutual escalation reflects the ongoing “war of attrition” that is exhausting both sides. Ukraine is attempting to isolate Crimea and disrupt Russian supply lines, while Moscow is responding with intensive airstrikes targeting its heartland and civilian centers. This is all happening with no prospect of de-escalation at present.
