Bridge Destruction Marks New Phase in Ukraine Russia War as Both Sides Target Logistics

Recently, Russia and Ukraine have increased the number of strikes on bridges, including those located far behind the front lines. These attacks aim to disrupt logistics, hampering supply lines to the front lines. As Forbes writes, by destroying bridges that could be needed for future offensive operations, both sides no longer expect a significant breakthrough in the near future. It is noted that bridges are prime targets because they are difficult to replace. At the same time, they serve as critical transportation hubs for the military. They cannot be moved or hidden, and their locations are well known, making them relatively easy targets.

Furthermore, the destruction of a single bridge can disrupt the movement of hundreds of vehicles carrying fuel, ammunition, and reinforcements, so there is no need to destroy each vehicle individually. The publication noted that the destruction of even one bridge creates a cascade effect. Vehicles are forced to take longer routes, fuel consumption increases, the load on equipment increases, and alternative routes become more predictable for drone and artillery strikes. In a war of attrition, bridges weren't previously the primary target of Russian attacks. The situation has changed recently. They're increasingly mentioned as targets in the Russian Ministry of Defense's daily reports.

These cumulative effects steadily increase the cost of sustaining combat operations. Commenting on the operations near Kostyantynivka, one of the Russian assault unit commanders stated that the destruction of bridges cuts Ukrainian supply lines and complicates the city's defense. By destroying these bridges, they cut off the flow of supplies necessary for the Ukrainian military to hold the city. In late June, the Russian Ministry of Defense released footage of a FAB-500 aerial bomb strike on a road bridge in the Sumy region aimed at cutting off Ukrainian logistics. Similar attacks were also carried out in the Kherson region and other areas. Over the past month, Ukrainian forces have also intensified attacks on bridges in

Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. According to the Institute for the Study of War, bridges in Konher, Henichesk, Armyansk, Strelkovoe, and other settlements providing connections between Crimea and the occupied areas of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions have recently been attacked. For these operations, Ukraine actively uses long-range attack drones, particularly domestically produced Fire Point and Behemoth systems. Although many bridges were damaged rather than completely destroyed, these strikes reduced road capacity and forced Russian logistics convoys to switch to alternative routes. Ukraine is also increasingly attacking not only the Kerch Bridge, but also the transport network that ensures the

further distribution of cargo across the peninsula. In June and July 2026, bridges along the M-17, M-18, and A-291 Tavrida highways, as well as several railway crossings, came under attack. Furthermore, in early July, Ukrainian forces attacked bridges near Shuliave and Yurazove in Russia's Belgorod region, approximately 20 to 25 km from the border. These routes are used to deliver military supplies to southern Ukraine. The publication believes that the increasing number of attacks on bridges indicates that both sides are increasingly focusing on holding positions and wearing down the enemy, rather than on large-scale breakthroughs. While at the beginning of the war, attempts were made to preserve bridges for possible offensive

operations, now the priority has become maximizing the disruption of logistics. Analysts believe this strategy potentially hits Russia harder. Ukraine has shorter supply lines and access to a denser network of roads and rail links, allowing it to more easily reroute logistics. Meanwhile, Russia's longer supply lines are more limited, so the loss of a bridge would cause greater damage. Furthermore, drones are playing an increasingly important role in combat operations and destroyed bridges pose little threat to them.