Russia's spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, has issued a stern warning to the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, promising a "devastating response" if there is any new assault on the Kerch Strait bridge, also known as the Crimea Bridge.
This comes amid claims by Zakharova that Kyiv is gearing up for another strike on the bridge with Western backing.
Propaganda or Preemptive Caution?
The flow of information from Russian sources often bears the hallmarks of propaganda, particularly in the context of the ongoing information war waged by the Russian Federation.
This narrative emerges as Moscow bolsters the bridge's defenses, following Ukrainian hints at a potential strike.
Adding a layer of intrigue, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, recently posted a collage on the social platform X, showcasing "the six main types of bridges in 2024," conspicuously omitting the Crimea Bridge.
This post follows reports from "The Guardian" citing Ukrainian military intelligence sources, suggesting plans to destroy the bridge within the first half of 2024 using long-range ATACMS missiles.
The Bridge: A Symbol of Pride and Provocation
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Crimea Bridge is more than a mere infrastructure project; it represents what he considers one of his significant achievements — the controversial "return" of Crimea to Russia in 2014.
Conversely, for Kyiv, the bridge is a detested symbol of occupation, with its potential destruction poised to boost Ukrainian morale and aid the campaign to liberate Crimea, as per insights from "The Guardian."
Should the bridge be successfully targeted, it would mark a significant strategic setback for Russia, echoing the impact of previous attacks in 2022 and 2023. These attacks not only caused widespread panic on the peninsula but severely hampered Russian military logistics.
According to "The Moscow Times," destruction of the bridge would compel the Russian military to reroute substantial logistical movements through the temporarily occupied southern territories of Ukraine, potentially weakening Kremlin's offensive capabilities significantly.
