Huge storm sweeps through, Russian defense line in Crimea blown away

Satellite image of Russia's defense line in Crimea on October 4 (Photo: Pravda).

MT Anderson, an analyst at Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), posted on social network X on December 1 satellite images taken on November 28 showing "significant damage" to the Crimean bridge's defense system, compared to images taken on October 4.

Satellite imagery shows three floating obstacles completely submerged, one partially submerged and two "completely washed away."

Satellite images show Russia's defense line in Crimea destroyed after a storm on November 28 (Photo: Pravda).

Earlier on November 26, a fierce storm hit the Black Sea and southern Ukraine, including the Russian-controlled Crimean peninsula.

Observers say this could be an opportunity for Ukraine to carry out suicide boat or drone attacks on Crimea, in the context of Russia's important military facilities facing great risks due to the lack of essential defenses.

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014 after a controversial referendum. Crimea has been repeatedly targeted in recent years, including a military base in the city of Sevastopol and the Kerch bridge connecting the peninsula to mainland Russia.

Sevastopol is home to the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet and its shipyards play a vital role in helping Moscow build and maintain its ships.

In September, Kiev claimed responsibility for attacks on a Black Sea Fleet ship repair plant in Sevastopol that damaged a submarine and a landing ship. Shortly afterward, Ukraine launched another attack on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, claiming the raid killed dozens of Russian officers, including the fleet commander.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency said it had destroyed one of Russia's prized S-400 air defense systems at the westernmost point of the peninsula. Ukraine also carried out a daring amphibious assault on Crimea, where Russia has placed several sophisticated radar systems.

Experts say that intensifying attacks on Russian bases and naval vessels in Crimea is an important part of Ukraine’s current counteroffensive campaign, a strategy aimed at isolating the peninsula and making it more difficult for Russia to maintain military operations on the Ukrainian mainland.

The British Ministry of Defense intelligence agency also said that Russia's Black Sea Fleet has changed some of its operations after recent attacks by Kiev. Accordingly, some of the fleet's operations have had to move to the port of Novorossiysk.

The British Ministry of Defense believes that this move by Russia is partly aimed at limiting the threat of attack from Ukraine, and on the other hand, it is also aimed at narrowing the coordination gap between their air and naval forces.

Air patrols by Be-12 MAIL amphibious aircraft played an important role in that Russian plan. In addition, Su-24 Fencer and Su-33 Flanker fighters also carried out numerous maritime strike operations.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/bao-lon-can-quet-phong-tuyen-nga-o-crimea-bi-thoi-tung-20231201184601936.htm