Further bridge updates. The Russians put in place a ferry to replace the very heavily damaged and unusable Antonivsky bridge. The Ferry consisted of several pontoon sections and an amphibious tug. There are rumours that the ferry has now been blown up. THIS IS UNCONFIRMED AND SHOULD NOT BE REPEATED EXCEPT AS RUMOURS. However, if true, the ferry would have lasted even less time than Russia's adherence to the grain export deal.EACLucifer wrote: ↑Wed Jul 27, 2022 8:19 amStill standing, just about, but I would not want to go up there, let alone take a vehicle there. Various Russian sources are talking about it being out of action, needing extensive repairs "after the war", and also mentioning damage to the nearby railway bridge.EACLucifer wrote: ↑Tue Jul 26, 2022 9:42 pmMore hits apparently on the Antonivsky bridge. Hits apparently in two locations, suggestion it could be the railway bridge hit as well. Some social media posts saying bridge possibly destroyed, or a span gone, others contradicting that, apparently. One to keep an eye on for the morning. Russian Air Defence active, suggesting rockets rather than shells.
There are thought to be about fifteen Russian battalion tactical groups and supporting elements on the west bank of the Dnipro. There are two rail crossings and two road crossings between Russian held areas on the west and east banks of that river. It's a big river, one of the great rivers of Europe, and about a kilometre wide at this point. Those bridges are as follows;
Antonivsky Road Bridge - out of action. Significant damage, craters not just through the deck but right through the longitudinals too. Out of action, perhaps forever, but certainly for the forseeable future. In addition, Russian sappers were observed operating there back when the first Ukrainian counterattack pushed the Russians back from Mykolaiv. It's to be assumed the bridge is already wired to blow, thus there was never much chance of the Ukrainians using it. People could probably cross on foot, but no vehicles.
Antonivsky Railway Bridge - status unclear, but reportedly hit last night at the same time the road bridge was.
Nova Kakhovka Dam - the remaining crossings are both here, as it is a road and rail crossing. Large craters observed through road surface, reportedly in the span over the lock. Repairs observed, but do not appear to be good quality. Would likely struggle with the weight of a truck, certainly with a tank or SPG.
This is potentially very significant news. The Russian positions west of the Dnipro in Kherson oblast are extremely vulnerable. They need extensive supplies, as there are somewhere in the vicinity of ten thousand troops on that bank, but only the aforementioned crossings. Even if they were to retreat, they would find it hard to evacuate their vehicles, and it is hard to see the situation getting much easier for them.