Russian supply woes in Crimea after Ukrainian ferry strike

Russia is experiencing difficulties with supplies to the region of Crimea it occupies after the Ukrainians hit the only remaining operational ferry with suitable parameters. This information was shared by British military intelligence on Thursday.

According to the British Ministry of Defense, the Ukrainian attack on Tuesday targeted a "Ro-Ro" type ferry that was stationed in the Port of Caucasus. This will also hinder the export of liquefied natural gas from the region.

Ro-Ro ferries operate in many parts of the world. Their key feature is a design that allows for fast vehicle loading and unloading. The British Ministry of Defense announced that the Russians no longer have such vessels to supply Crimea.

British intelligence also reported that the destruction of the ferry "Slavianin" would significantly increase transport costs and complicate the entire logistics chain, directly impacting the Russian army stationed in Crimea.

PAP emphasizes that supplies will now have to be delivered via the Kerch Bridge, something the Russians are trying to avoid following direct attacks by Ukrainian forces on this strategic connection.

Recall that as early as May, information surfaced that Russia had ceased using the Crimean Bridge to transport military equipment to the front line and instead used land routes through occupied parts of eastern Ukraine.

Construction of the 12-mile-long bridge began after the illegal annexation and occupation of Crimea in 2014 and was completed in 2018. During the war, it was severely damaged by Ukrainian attacks in October 2022 and July 2023.

Vasyl Malyuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), confirmed that Russia no longer uses the Crimean Bridge to deliver weapons to the front after Ukrainian attacks damaged the crossing.

Before the bridge was attacked, 42 to 46 trains carrying weapons and ammunition traveled through there daily.