Ukraine sets sights on “important target” in Crimea

Kyiv’s military has set its sights on Russia’s newly constructed railway that is connecting parts of occupied Ukraine with the Crimean Peninsula.

Speaking on national television Thursday, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) spokesman Andriy Yusov said that the railroad—which passes through the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region to connect the port city of Rostov-on-Don with Crimea—was a “serious challenge” and “significant target for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.”

Russian officials said in November that construction had begun on the railway to help transport goods—such as grain, iron and coal—to mainland Russia in light of the attacks against the Kerch Straight Bridge, which has become a key target for Ukraine as it ramps up its attacks against Crimea. At the time, Yevgeny Balitsky, Moscow’s appointed head of the Zaporizhzhia region, said that building the raillroad would “solve the problems of the military.”

“They [Russia] are not satisfied with what is happening with the Crimean Bridge,” Yusov said on Thursday, according to a report by The Kyiv Independent. “Therefore, they are trying to strengthen the railroad connection.”

Yusov added that Russia was using the railway to help supply its forces fighting in Ukraine. The Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, served as an important military hub prior to Moscow launching its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Newsweek reached out to Russia’s Ministry of Defense for further comment via email late Thursday night.

The Crimean Bridge was shut down earlier this month after Moscow accused Kyiv of carrying out drone strikes in the area. Russia’s Defense Ministry said that in the early hours of March 3, Ukraine had targeted Crimea with 38 airborne drones in an overnight attack and that traffic on the bridge was “temporarily blocked,” but Moscow claimed that its defense systems were able to intercept all incoming drones.

Ukraine has also in recent months successfully targeted Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which is based around the peninsula. Kyiv’s military claimed in February that it had taken out 20 percent of the naval fleet since the start of the war. The U.K. Defense Ministry has seconded that claim.

British intelligence said on Wednesday that Russia had begun deploying decoy ships to the Black Sea to help thwart Ukraine’s attacks. According to the report, Russia is disguising its vessels with black paint to “make their warships appear smaller and a less appealing target.”

“Silhouettes of vessels have also been painted on the side of quays, probably to confuse Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle operators,” U.K.’s Defense Ministry added.