UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 531 - AUGUST 6, 2023

Ukrainian Armed Forces on August 6th targeted two key road bridges along important Russian supply lines between the occupied Crimea and the occupied territory of Kherson, prompting Russian forces to redirect traffic from shorter eastern routes to longer western routes.

The head of the occupation administration of Kherson region, Vadimir Saldo, claims that Ukrainian forces fired 12 rockets at a road bridge over the Henichesk Strait connecting Henichesk district with the Arabat Spit, and Russian air defense intercepted nine of the rockets. Russian sources added images showing significant damage to the bridge and claim that the Ukrainian attacks caused a portion of the bridge to collapse. Russian sources also supplemented footage showing Ukrainian forces targeting the Chonhar road bridge on the M-18 highway (Dzhankoi-Melitopol) connecting the occupied Crimea with the occupied Kherson territory, subsequently causing slight damage to both sides of the bridge. The head of Crimea's occupation, Sergei Aksyonov, said Ukrainian forces fired two rockets at the bridge, with one rocket penetrating Russian air defense and damaging the road surface of the bridge. Russian sources say Ukrainian forces used Storm Shadow cruise missiles for both attacks, although ISW has not yet confirmed if Russian forces intercepted Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

The full Russian Offensive Update 531 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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