Russia unveils strategic railway in occupied Ukraine, eyeing military edge

The newly constructed railway line from Rostov-on-Don to Crimea is a major Russian infrastructure venture within Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, as the British Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday.

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A recent intelligence briefing revealed that on Monday, March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the development of a railway from Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia across Ukrainian territories currently under temporary occupation, extending to Crimea. Putin stated the railway would eventually reach Sevastopol, located in Crimea's south, and is expected to alleviate pressure on the Kerch Bridge.

The report further mentioned that despite Putin's assertion that the initial section completed reestablishes connectivity to Berdyansk, the pre-existing rail links used to finalize this route traverse regions that may face isolation due to Ukrainian precision strikes with long-range capabilities.

The new rail line, which took eight months to construct, spans nearly 37 miles south of Donetsk, between Kolo and Kamiyanka. It is estimated to be among the largest infrastructure initiatives Russia has implemented in Ukraine's territories under temporary control, reinstating rail connections disrupted by conflicts in the Donetsk area.

"The construction of the new railway is presumably aimed at supporting Russian military actions in Mariupol. This port city, devastated by Russia in 2022, hosts the Azovstal steelworks, among other significant industrial facilities. Despite the heavy damages, there is speculation that Russia might intend to refurbish and utilize these installations in the future," the report noted.