Russia Making Floating Bridge After HIMARS Strikes, Still Vulnerable: U.K.

After the only bridge across the Dnipro River near the Russian-occupied city of Kherson was repeatedly hit by Ukraine's U.S.-supplied HIMARS, Russia is preparing to build a floating bridge to continue transporting supplies across the southern frontline, according to the British Ministry of Defense.

The Antonovsky bridge—the most important crossing to Russian-controlled areas west of the Dnipro River, notably Kherson—was first struck by Ukrainian rocket fire on July 19 and has been hit at least eight times since then, making it impossible for Moscow troops to move heavy military vehicles in the region.

On July 23, Ukrainian troops also hit the Daryivskyi bridge, the only bridge across the Ingulets river used for supplies by Russian troops. According to TASS, the bridge was hit by seven rockets from U.S.-supplied HIMARS, but the bridge was still functioning.

Attempts by Russian troops to repair the bridge have been hindered by further HIMARS strikes by Ukrainian forces, who installed a pontoon ferry service across the river after shelling on July 27 reduced its carrying capacity from 100 tons to five.

The Antonovsky bridge was struck again on August 14. "We continue fire control over transport and logistics arteries in the temporarily occupied territory, as we have a clear intention to help the occupiers make the right decision and direct their next 'gesture of good will' in the direction we need," said Nataliya Humenyuk, spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces.

According to Russian state news agency TASS, the latest strike on August 21 and 22 caused an explosion at the site of repairs on the Antonovsky bridge and injured at least 15 people.

Images and videos of the bridge circulating on social media on Monday show fire and a thick cloud of smoke emerging from the site.

The strike—but not the number of potential victims—was confirmed by the region's governor Serhiy Khlan on Facebook, where he also wrote that Kyiv troops struck the bridge as a Russian convoy was transporting ammunition across it.

Though it's unclear whether the bridge collapsed—as reports saying this could not be verified—it's likely that the latest strikes on August 21 and 22 rendered the two road bridges across the Dnipro river "unusable for heavy transport," according to the Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

This chart, provided by Statista, shows governments committing the most bilateral aid to Ukraine as a percentage share of their own GDP.

The bridge is of strategic importance for Moscow to supply its forces occupying Ukraine's south.

"Without this bridge it is difficult to supply the troops in Kherson, although there is the Antonovsky railway bridge and the Novaya Kakhovka dam—the latter is also being shelled from the Ukrainian side," Marina Miron from the Defence Studies Department of the King's College London told Newsweek.

"Aside from its logistical importance, in political terms, this territory is important for Moscow as it was going to hold a referendum related to the question of joining the Russian Federation. To this end, it is important to ensure that the Russian forces are able to hold the territory and to protect its inhabitants—this is akin to NATO's shape-clear-hold-build concept. Hence, creating a state of terror in Kherson is not favorable for the Russian side," she said.

To avoid this critical situation, Russia is now moving barges to build a floating bridge across the river to restock troops and move equipment, according to the U.K. Ministry of Defence.

"Over the weekend, Russia probably started moving barges into position to construct a substantial floating bridge over the Dnipro river, immediately beside the damaged Antonivskiy road bridge," wrote the British Ministry of Defence on Twitter on Tuesday.

"The crossing is the key link between Russian-occupied Kherson and the east."

According to the British Ministry of Defence, since the bridge was first hit by U.S.-supplied HIMARS, Russian forces and local civilians have been relying on a ferry to cross the river. "If Russia completes the improvised bridge, it will almost certainly increase the capacity of the crossing point compared to the ferry," the latest British intelligence report says.

But, the British Ministry of Defence added, a floating bridge might be a fleeting solution for Russian troops in Kherson, as this "would likely still be vulnerable to Ukrainian offensive action."

But Miron said that this vulnerability could actually favor Russian troops.

"Precisely because a pontoon bridge is much cheaper and easier to construct, it would not be very efficient to fire expensive missiles at it," she said.

"Of course, one could destroy such a bridge with M30/31 missiles, however, Ukraine has a limited number of those. Thus, it would not make sense to waste them on something that can be easily restored or rebuild. Considering the ongoing artillery duels and the high burn rate of ammo, it would be much more troublesome to constantly resupply Ukraine with MLRS missiles, not just because of the cost of these, but also because the stockpiles are running low," she said.

"In addition, the Russians are already targeting ammo warehouses in Ukraine, precisely, to curtail the Ukrainian forces' capability to carry out long-range strikes in the first place. Thus, for the Ukrainians it presents a challenge of efficiently using the available resources."

Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Ukrainian ministries of defense for comment.

Why Is the Antonovsky Bridge Important for Kyiv?

Kyiv has several reasons to focus its attention on the Antonovsky bridge, according to Miron.

"In political terms, it is important to ensure a referendum [like that planned by Russia] does not take place," Miron said.

"It is also important to demonstrate that the Russian forces are not capable of protecting those in Kherson, undermining Russia's authority in the region," she said.

"From a military perspective, it is also important to cut off the logistical supply route to the 49th Army and leave it ostracized. Isolating the Russian troops and leaving them without supplies would make a future offensive on Kherson by the Ukrainian troops somewhat easier, at least in theory as there are always other factors that need to be taken into account given that the front line extends well beyond Kherson. Yet, Kherson itself is important given its proximity to the Crimean Peninsula."

According to Miron, the attacks on the bridge are also a way to demonstrate the military capabilities of the Ukrainian forces, "especially when using U.S. supplied HIMARS."

"The strikes were also aimed at showing the international community that the support Ukraine has been receiving was not for nothing," Miron said. "Moreover, small successes also raise the morale of the Ukrainian military which is a very important aspect often overlooked. The aim is to keep the morale high despite the recent attacks along the entire front line."

Update, 8/23/22 11:20 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include expert comment.

Update, 8/24/22 5:23 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to add Marina Miron's full title.