Russia bolsters Crimean bridge defenses amid drone threat

The latest satellite images around the Crimean Bridge show no doubt that the Russians are still enhancing the security measures aimed at protecting this structure. Analyst Brady Africk explains which Ukrainian weapons they fear the most.

American Business Insider obtained the latest satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies. They clearly show an intensification of defensive actions around the Crimean Bridge.

Much of Russia's efforts are focused on building fortifications from interconnected small barges. Similar structures have been built around the Crimean Bridge for several months now. Brady Africk believes this confirms that the Russians are increasingly fearing Ukrainian naval drones, which have repeatedly caused trouble for the Black Sea Fleet.

While in the early months of the war, Ukrainians used relatively simple, improvised structures of this type, they now have naval drones with substantial capabilities in their arsenal. Among them are primarily Magura V5 drones that can reach about 50 mph and carry up to 700 pounds of explosives, and Sea Baby drones with a load capacity reaching even 1,900 pounds. With the help of Sea Baby drones, Ukrainians have managed to eliminate several Russian ships from the Black Sea Fleet, including Project 22160 ships.

Besides building fortifications to protect the Crimean Bridge from naval drones, Russian efforts are focused on improving anti-aircraft defense around this structure. Additional Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound in NATO code) air defense systems, among the newer and better weapons of this type in the Russian army's arsenal, are being brought in.

Pantsir-S1 systems began entering service in the Russian army in the 1990s. They are armed with 57E6 or 57E6-E anti-aircraft missile systems (12 units), which allow for eliminating targets within a distance of up to 12 miles. Additionally, Pantsir-S systems are equipped with 30 mm 2A38M automatic cannons with a maximum rate of fire of 2,500 rounds per minute to shoot down targets at shorter distances (up to about 2.5 miles).