Speaking with The Economist, he added that the Ukrainians will “take down the Kerch Bridge when they are ready.”
Dmitry Pletenchuk, a spokesman for Ukraine’s southern military command, also said: “The railway along the land corridor is recognition on the part of the Russian occupiers that the Crimean [Kerch] Bridge is doomed.
“They are looking for a way to hedge their bets because they are aware that sooner or later, they will have a problem.”
Ukraine has already attacked the Kerch Bridge on several occasions, including in October 2022, when Ukrainian forces attached a bomb to a truck.
Crimea is also vital due to its proximity to the Black Sea.
Ukraine has enjoyed success against Russia’s Navy. Ukraine’s forces claim to have sunk a third of Russia’s warships in just over two years of war.
Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said: “There is, of course, some stock of ships remaining, but the most valuable assets are all removed.
“Our ultimate goal is complete absence of military ships of the so-called Russian Federation in the Azov and Black Sea regions.”
