The Crimean Bridge: A Symbol of Russia’s Struggles
I just watched a short news report indicating that the Crimean Bridge, which spans the Kerch Strait, is in need of major repairs and continues to deteriorate. The implication is that the AFU may not need to destroy it; it may fall down on its own.
Source of the News
The source, Kanal13, comes from Azerbaijan, a country rich in oil. Azerbaijan isn’t known for press freedoms or human rights but stays neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It keeps diplomatic relations with both countries but didn’t join Russia’s version of NATO. Azerbaijan’s closest ally is Turkey, sharing a similar culture and language. So while this can be considered government-approved reporting, I’m inclined to take it at face value.
Bridge Damage and Repairs
The bridge has been seriously damaged by two separate Ukrainian attacks:
- October 2022: A massive explosion from what was probably a truck bomb damaged the road bridge and ignited a fuel train on the rail bridge. Both needed months of repair.
- July 2023: Marine drones knocked the road bridge out of commission for several months.
According to the story, repairs were insufficient and left the bridge with major structural problems.
Impact on Transportation
Before the bridge, ferries transferred passengers and cargo between Russia and the peninsula. Ukraine destroyed these ferries with missile attacks. Now, Russia uses overloaded trucks on the bridge, speeding up its deterioration. The Russian government likely knows about the problem but lacks resources for proper repairs. Closing the bridge for repairs might not be an option.
Pre-War Concerns
The bridge’s durability was questioned even before the war. It crosses a tectonic fault and sits on unstable silt. The area also has “mud volcanoes,” which are not fancy cocktails but natural phenomena. Construction was rushed because Putin needed it to secure the newly-captured Crimean peninsula.
Russia’s Hope and Reality
Russia hopes the bridge stays standing long enough to win the war, but that doesn’t look promising. As Russia gears its economy for war, there’s little left for infrastructure maintenance. Earlier this spring, Russia had major dam failures in its eastern provinces, showing that many things are falling apart.
Conclusion
The eventual Russian “collapse” may not be metaphorical. It may consist of critical infrastructure falling down for lack of maintenance. This situation highlights the importance of focusing on infrastructure, something the U.S. has improved under Joe Biden.
