UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 512 - JULY 18, 2023

The attack on the bridge over the Strait of Kerch on July 17 is likely to have immediate implications for Russian military logistics in southern Ukraine.

On July 17 and 18, footage and images released show extensive traffic jams and accidents on the E58 highway Mariupol-Melitopol-Cherson City - Russia's current main logistics route between Russia and southern Ukraine - at various points between Mariupol and Berdiansk and in the Kherson region. The Russian occupying authorities stated that they had reduced traffic at the checkpoints in the Crimea-Kherson region near Chonhar and Armiansk after significant congestion in the morning. The Russian occupying authorities also announced alternative routes and rest stops for tourists returning from the occupied Crimea through the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk - rear areas in a war zone - to Russia. The Russian authorities also announced additional measures to alleviate the resulting traffic jams and logistical problems. These include a temporary road bridge next to the bridge over the Strait of Kerch, the reconstruction of a 60-kilometer section of road between Crimea and the Kherson region via Armiansk, and a relaxation of security measures at the checkpoints of the bridge over the Strait of Kerch.

On July 18, the Russian authorities opened a section of the bridge over the Strait of Kerch for single-lane traffic towards Russia and plan to reopen the same section for two-lane traffic on September 15 and the entire bridge for road traffic in November. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on July 18 that the Russian government is still developing measures to increase the security of the bridge over the Strait of Kerch, and Russian military bloggers continue to criticize the alleged failure of Russian security forces to adequately protect the bridge.

The full Russian Offensive Update 512 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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