The Crimean bridge is the line that, according to retired U.S. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, Ukraine is fully capable of crossing. It is not about crossing, it is about destruction. And not just partial destruction, but one after which no one will use the bridge again. The former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe believes that it is a matter of time – and Kirill Budanov’s decision.
Speaking to Radio Liberty, Hodges did not hide his conviction that Ukraine’s GUR chief knows what he is doing. “I would say that General Budanov will do so when he is ready,” he said, commenting on the possibility of a new strike on the Crimean bridge.
Hodges’ position has been unchanged for years: Crimea is the key to ending the war. Russia has been holding on to the peninsula since 2014, since its illegal annexation. The general believes that Crimea is the most important foothold for the Kremlin, and losing it would mean defeat.
“The key to Crimea is isolation first. And this, of course, means that we need to disable the bridge and cut off land access,” the former commander said. According to him, this is the only way to deprive Russia of control over the peninsula.
But this is not an easy task. The Crimean bridge is a monster that cannot be taken by a missile or a drone. “This is a huge bridge. It is huge. You can’t destroy it in one blow,” Hodges emphasized. Complete destruction requires not only powerful explosives, but also a competent strategy.
He also noted that the Russians understand this. There is a whole defense system around the bridge. And yet, history knows many cases where protected objects have fallen. With determination and skill.
“And I think that if anyone in the world can do it, it will be Ukraine. They will do it when the time is right. And they have everything ready,” Hodges summarized.
In early April, Oleksiy Neizhpapa, commander of the Ukrainian Navy, also confirmed that despite the complexity, the Crimean bridge remains one of the priority goals of Ukrainian forces.
Well, given the words of the American general and the confidence of the Ukrainian command, the only question is when this reinforced concrete artery of the Russian army will become history.