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Operation Lock-up Crimea
Neither Putin nor Ukraine can let go of Crimea
Victory in warfare isn’t a solitary instance. It’s not even a solitary occurrence, though it may seem that way in the final stretch. Rather, it’s the culmination of minor successes. The side with a greater balance of wins than defeats will emerge victorious.
The early morning truck explosion that blew up “two two-lane vehicular spans” of the Crimea bridge on October 8, 2022 was a small win for Ukraine. But that event changed the balance of war in Southern Ukraine slightly in favor of Ukraine.
The bridge wasn’t fully opened for traffic until 23 February 2023. Within a few days after the explosion, the bridge was opened for light vehicular traffic. But trucks had to take the ferry. One week after the explosion, the waiting time to take the ferry was four days.
The Crimean bridge across the Kerch strait is a vital logistical link for Russia. Putin’s troops in Southern Ukraine get their food, fuel, heavy equipment, ammunition and other supplies through this bridge.
Logistical problems that enter anywhere in the supply chain will make their way to the…
