Russia prepares for possible destruction of key Crimea bridge – military expert

He expressed his opinion on Espreso TV. 

"The fact that the Russians are trying to build additional railways in the temporarily occupied territories is a very important strategic issue for them. However, there is good strategic news for us in this situation, but under certain conditions. The Russians realize that we can break through the southern front and reach the northern Azov Sea region. Conditionally, the Ukrainian Armed Forces can gain a foothold somewhere in the Molochnyi Lyman area and cut off the Russians' land corridor to Crimea. Let's also not forget about ATACMS missiles, which can destroy the Crimean bridge, the main logistical artery of Russian ground forces, with a large volley. So the Russians have started preparing for such a scenario. They will stay on the eastern bridgehead to the last. And the troops need to be supplied. That is why they are preparing by building new railroad tracks," explained Chernyk.

The expert explained why railways are the priority logistics route for Russians.

"The Russians cannot fully supply their troops with trucks. And there are not enough roads to maximize the load of these trucks. For this, they need a railroad. After all, an ordinary Kamaz truck can carry up to 60 shells, while the same railroad car can carry up to 500 shells. In addition, we understand that a railroad echelon is not two or three cars, but dozens. Therefore, the Russians did the math and came to the conclusion that this type of supply needs to be improved," he added.

Is Ukraine getting ATACMS long-range missiles?

On April 19, the United States announced another USD 325 million military aid package to Ukraine, which included HIMARS and artillery shells.

At the end of May, representatives of the US Congress called on Biden to send the missiles to Ukraine. In a letter addressed to the US President, the leaders of the bipartisan Helsinki Commission called on the White House to authorize the delivery of the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to Ukraine.

On June 10, members of both parties in the US House of Representatives introduced a resolution calling on Joe Biden to send ATACMS to Ukraine.

On June 21, the House Foreign Affairs Committee supported a resolution to Biden calling for the immediate delivery of ATACMS to Ukraine.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is close to making a decision to provide Ukraine with long-range tactical missile systems ATACMS.

The WP reported that the US does not have enough ATACMS missiles to provide them to Ukraine. 

On September 9, it was reported that the United States may provide missiles to Ukraine in the next aid package.

On September 12, media reported that the Biden administration was close to approving the supply of longer-range missiles to Ukraine, which are immediately equipped with cluster munitions.

On September 15, The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine is close to receiving ATACMS missiles from the United States this fall.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on September 15, that the Ukrainian military will use US missiles as they see appropriate. 

During the talks in the White House on September 22, US President Joe Biden has reportedly assured Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine would receive a small number of ATACMS missiles.

On September 28, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the supply of long-range missiles to Ukraine was discussed during a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Joe Biden, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last week.

On October 3, Bloomberg reported that the Pentagon is ready to provide Ukraine with ATACMS missiles very quickly – they are only waiting for the final approval of US President Joe Biden.