![Instead of relying solely on attacking Russian defenses head on, Ukraine is attacking the supply lines that feed Russia’s military.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CLEAN-Ukraine-counteroffensive-slowly-marches-on_Reuters_featuredImage_Mon-Jul-17-2023.jpg?w=1920)
Ukraine counteroffensive against Russia slower by design
By Ryan Robertson (Anchor, Investigative Reporter)
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
The bridge to Crimea is key to supplying Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting its control
Click to see story on abc NewsRussia blames Ukraine for attack on key Crimea military supply bridge
Click to see story on StuffKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 6 PhiladelphiaKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 13 HoustonThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Alaska Highway NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc11 RaleighKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc30 NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again as Putin vows response to attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Lakeland TodayThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on PiqueThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Barrie TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on The Victoria AdvocateThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on KRDORussian bridge to Crimea is struck again; Putin vows response
Click to see story on Star AdvertiserKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Pioneer PressKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 ChicagoKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 LAKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 NYThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on News 4 JAXThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Click on DetroitThe bridge that links Russia to Crimea is key to supplying the Ukraine war and for asserting control
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Pittsburgh Post-GazetteKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again; Moscow blames Ukraine for attack
Click to see story on Central Maine NewsThe bridge that links Russia to Crimea is key to supplying the Ukraine war and for asserting control
Click to see story on DevdiscourseKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)Key Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Daily FreemanKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The Virginian PilotThe bridge to Crimea is key to supplying Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting its control
Click to see story on Sentinel-TribuneKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The ReporterKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The Pottstown MercuryKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Sentinel and EnterpriseKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for an attack that kills 2
Click to see story on The Times HeraldKey Russian bridge to Crimea struck again, Moscow blames Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on castanet.netThe Bridge to Crimea is Crucial to Russia’s War Effort in Ukraine and to Asserting Moscow’s Control
Click to see story on News18 IndiaBridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine an
Click to see story on Washington TimesKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for an attack that kills 2
Click to see story on Boston HeraldKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for an attack that kills 2
Click to see story on Daily PressRight
Untracked Bias
Moscow blames Ukraine after key bridge to Crimea attacked again
Click to see story on Shropshire StarThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Squamish ChiefThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on SudburyKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again as Putin vows response to attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Bay TodayThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Midland TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on The Himalayan TimesThe Crimean Bridge in Kerch was attacked again early Monday morning of July 17. Several sections of the structure were destroyed, marking the latest victory for Ukraine’s revamped counteroffensive strategy.
When Ukraine first launched its summer counteroffensive in June, it quickly lost an estimated 20% of its Western-supplied armored vehicles. Some losses were expected, but not in such high numbers.
Russia had months to prepare its defensive positions. In some areas along the frontlines, Russia’s defenses are miles deep. Minefields pose the biggest danger, and without proper air support, the Ukrainians can’t clear them. The onslaught of Russian artillery keeps what few mine-clearing vehicles Ukraine has mostly at bay.
So, instead of relying solely on attacking Russian defenses head on, Ukraine is attacking the supply lines that feed Russia’s military. Longer-range weapons like the Storm Shadow missiles are making it easier for Ukraine to carry-out those attacks.
“We inflict effective, painful and precise blows and bleed the occupier,” Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense said. “The lack of ammunition and fuel will sooner or later become fatal.
Which brings up Crimea.
The Crimean Peninsula is in southern Ukraine. There are three routes in from the north. They pass through swampy areas and are vulnerable to attack from both Ukrainian troops and pro-Ukrainian Russians fighting against Moscow.
The Crimean Bridge in Kerch, on the eastern side, is the only direct link to Russia from the peninsula. It’s the primary supply route for Russian troops in southern Ukraine. So, if that route is cut, Russia could run out of both troops and equipment in the south, making the continued occupation of Crimea untenable.
The attack on the bridge in Kerch fits perfectly with Ukraine’s new strategy.
“I would describe it as a policy of starve, stretch and strike,” Admiral Tony Radikin, the U.K.’s chief of defense, said to a British parliamentary committee earlier this month. The first goal for Ukraine, according to Radikin, is to starve Russian units of supplies and reinforcements by attacking logistic and command centers in the rear.
Ukraine is stretching the Russians by coordinating its counteroffensive attacks across three primary axes. In addition to defending the hundreds of miles of frontline, Russia needs to reposition its forces to offset Ukrainian attacks, which is happening.
The Kyiv Post reported Serhiy Cherevaty, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s Eastern Military Command, said Russia was trying to counterattack in the Bakhmut sector and was bringing in reserve forces.
This is what Ukraine wants. The longer Ukraine can bleed Russian forces like it did during the months long Battle of Bakhmut, when the time comes to strike the thinking is Russian forces won’t have the weapons, or the will, to stage an effective defense.
While the pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive is at a slow grind, there have been notable gains. In the last six weeks, Ukraine said its armed forces liberated around 210 square kilometers, including at least eight villages. That’s roughly the same amount of land Russia said it seized from Ukraine in the previous six months of the war.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
THE CRIMEAN BRIDGE IN KERCH WAS ATTACKED AGAIN EARLY MONDAY MORNING. SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE STRUCTURE WERE DESTROYED, MARKING THE LATEST VICTORY FOR UKRAINE’S REVAMPED COUNTEROFFENSIVE STRATEGY.
WHEN UKRAINE FIRST LAUNCHED ITS SUMMER COUNTEROFFENSIVE IN JUNE, IT QUICKLY LOST AN ESTIMATED 20% OF ITS WESTERN-SUPPLIED ARMORED VEHICLES. SOME LOSSES WERE EXPECTED, BUT NOT IN SUCH HIGH NUMBERS.
RUSSIA HAD MONTHS TO PREPARE ITS DEFENSIVE POSITIONS. IN SOME AREAS ALONG THE FRONTLINES, RUSSIA’S DEFENSES ARE MILES DEEP. MINEFIELDS POSE THE BIGGEST DANGER, AND WITHOUT PROPER AIR SUPPORT, THE UKRAINIANS CAN’T CLEAR THEM. THE ONSLAUGHT OF RUSSIAN ARTILLERY KEEPS WHAT FEW MINE-CLEARING VEHICLES UKRAINE HAS MOSTLY AT BAY.
SO, INSTEAD OF RELYING SOLELY ON ATTACKING RUSSIAN DEFENSES HEAD ON, UKRAINE IS ATTACKING THE SUPPLY LINES THAT FEED RUSSIA’S MILITARY. LONGER-RANGE WEAPONS LIKE THE STORM SHADOW MISSILES ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR UKRAINE TO CARRY-OUT THOSE ATTACKS.
WHICH BRINGS US TO CRIMEA.
THE CRIMEAN PENINSULA IS IN SOUTHERN UKRAINE. THERE ARE THREE ROUTES IN FROM THE NORTH. THEY PASS THROUGH SWAMPY AREAS AND ARE VULNERABLE TO ATTACK FROM BOTH UKRAINIAN TROOPS AND PRO-UKRAINIAN RUSSIANS FIGHTING AGAINST MOSCOW.
THE CRIMEAN BRIDGE IN KERCH, ON THE EASTERN SIDE, IS THE ONLY DIRECT LINK TO RUSSIA FROM THE PENINSULA. IT’S THE PRIMARY SUPPLY ROUTE FOR RUSSIAN TROOPS IN SOUTHERN UKRAINE. SO, IF THAT ROUTE IS CUT, RUSSIA COULD RUN OUT OF BOTH TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE SOUTH, MAKING THE CONTINUED OCCUPATION OF CRIMEA UNTENABLE.
THE ATTACK ON THE BRIDGE IN KERCH IS PART OF UKRAINE’S STRATEGY TO STARVE, STRETCH AND STRIKE AS THE UK’S CHIEF OF DEFENSE DESCRIBED IT. ATTACKING RUSSIAN LOGISTICS AND COMMAND CENTERS STARVES THE TROOPS IN THE FIELD OF RESOURCES AND INTEL.
UKRAINE IS STRETCHING THE RUSSIANS BY COORDINATING ITS ATTACKS IN SEVERAL AREAS ALONG THE HUNDREDS OF MILES OF FRONTLINES, WHICH IS NOW FORCING RUSSIA TO BRING UP SOME OF ITS RESERVE FORCES TO REINFORCE THE LINES. THIS IS WHAT UKRAINE WANTS, BECAUSE THE LONGER IT CAN BLEED RUSSIAN FORCES LIKE IT DID IN BAKHMUT WHEN THE TIME COMES TO STRIKE, THE THINKING IS RUSSIAN FORCES WON’T HAVE THE WEAPONS, OR THE WILL, TO STAGE AN EFFECTIVE DEFENSE.
FOR MORE UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE, GO TO SAN.COM.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
The bridge to Crimea is key to supplying Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting its control
Click to see story on abc NewsRussia blames Ukraine for attack on key Crimea military supply bridge
Click to see story on StuffKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 6 PhiladelphiaKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 13 HoustonThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Alaska Highway NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc11 RaleighKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc30 NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again as Putin vows response to attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Lakeland TodayThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on PiqueThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Barrie TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on The Delaware County Daily TimesKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on The Victoria AdvocateThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on KRDORussian bridge to Crimea is struck again; Putin vows response
Click to see story on Star AdvertiserKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Pioneer PressKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 ChicagoKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 LAKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on abc 7 NYThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on News 4 JAXThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Click on DetroitThe bridge that links Russia to Crimea is key to supplying the Ukraine war and for asserting control
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Pittsburgh Post-GazetteKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again; Moscow blames Ukraine for attack
Click to see story on Central Maine NewsThe bridge that links Russia to Crimea is key to supplying the Ukraine war and for asserting control
Click to see story on DevdiscourseKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The Sun (Lowell)Key Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Daily FreemanKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The Virginian PilotThe bridge to Crimea is key to supplying Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting its control
Click to see story on Sentinel-TribuneKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The ReporterKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on The Pottstown MercuryKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Daily Local NewsKey Russian bridge to Crimea is attacked again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for blast that kills 2
Click to see story on Sentinel and EnterpriseKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for an attack that kills 2
Click to see story on The Times HeraldKey Russian bridge to Crimea struck again, Moscow blames Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on castanet.netThe Bridge to Crimea is Crucial to Russia’s War Effort in Ukraine and to Asserting Moscow’s Control
Click to see story on News18 IndiaBridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine an
Click to see story on Washington TimesKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for an attack that kills 2
Click to see story on Boston HeraldKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Ukraine for an attack that kills 2
Click to see story on Daily PressRight
Untracked Bias
Moscow blames Ukraine after key bridge to Crimea attacked again
Click to see story on Shropshire StarThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Squamish ChiefThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on SudburyKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again as Putin vows response to attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Bay TodayThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayThe bridge to Crimea is crucial to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine and to asserting Moscow’s control
Click to see story on Midland TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayKey Russian bridge to Crimea is struck again, with Moscow blaming Kyiv for attack that killed 2
Click to see story on The Himalayan TimesUnbiased news.
Directly to
your inbox.
Free!
MOST POPULAR
-
Michigan State Department
Michigan’s first ‘I Voted’ sticker contest draws inspiration from folklore and more
Watch 1:32Yesterday -
Getty Images
IRS recovers $1.3B in unpaid taxes from high-income Americans
Watch 1:26Yesterday -
Getty Images
NOAA says Vineyard Wind won’t kill sea life, issues permits for it to do just that
Watch 1:30Yesterday -
Reuters
Trump campaign staffers involved in Arlington cemetery altercation identified
Watch 2:01Yesterday