Dec. 2, 2024, 10:02 p.m.
Russian military strengthens defense of the Kerch bridge
Цей матеріал також доступний українською54
Photo: CJR
The occupation authorities of Crimea are strengthening the defense of the Kerch Bridge, which Russia illegally built in the Kerch Strait.
According to the Center for Investigative Journalism, the Russians have begun construction of a third tower next to the bridge to house a short-range air defense system. The first towers discovered by the CJR consist of two parts, of which the inner one is a transformer tower with a staircase, the outer one is a metal frame that fixes and holds the entire structure, on top of which is a combat module of thePantsir-S1M anti-aircraft missile and gun system.
Photo: CJR
If the first two structures are installed on the shores of the island, what is the third one on? It is likely to be based on the parallel bridges with gratings that the occupiers have been building for six months on both sides. In this case, they will serve both as anti-drone protection for the pylons and as a platform for the placement of Russian air defense towers.
The Pantsir-S1M is an export version of the air defense system with an armored cabin mounted on a KAMAZ-53958 chassis painted in desert camouflage. The model has an increased range and altitude of air targets. This air defense system can be mounted on tracked and wheeled chassis, as well as installed permanently, creating a 15 km high security dome with a 20 km radius over the facility. In addition, the Pantsir can be combined into groups, increasing the radius of the protective cover.
Russia began building a layered defense system for the bridge in the Kerch Strait in May 2024 with the installation of barges in two rows and boom barriers. In the summer, the occupiers began installing parallel anti-drone bridges on both sides, as well as installing tetrapods and metal "hedgehogs" in the sea. In the fall, towers with "Pantsiryas" began to appear.
Earlier, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, said that the Defense Forces have a plan for both the de-occupation of Ukrainian lands and the peninsula and the destruction of the Crimean bridge.
"We will not make announcements, as we did in the past when we did it effectively," Yusov said.
