Ukraine pushes for international ruling to dismantle Crimean Bridge
Ukraine expects the Arbitration Tribunal in The Hague, which is reviewing the case of Russia's violation of the UN Maritime Convention, to require the Russian Federation to dismantle the illegally constructed Kerch Bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge.
"Russia illegally built this bridge, and now it must remove it to ensure navigation through the Kerch Strait in accordance with international law," stated Ukraine's communiqué.
Kyiv emphasizes that it is not enough to simply tell Russia it is violating international law; there must be measures to force Russia to provide guarantees that it will not repeat such violations in the future.
The Kerch Bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge, is important in the region. It is a symbol of Russia's annexation of Crimea and an ongoing conflict zone between Russia and Ukraine. Russia constructed this bridge to meet its logistical needs following the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and it was completed in 2018.
Attacks on the bridge and its protection
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have conducted several attacks on the Kerch Bridge. In October 2022, a truck explosion caused a partial collapse of one of the road bridge sections and sparked a fuel tanker fire on the adjacent railway bridge. Another attack took place in July 2023, when two unmanned surface vehicles damaged the bridge, causing the collapse of a span on one of the road bridge sections and damaging another.
Ukrainians are developing a program for building explosive unmanned boats, used in attacks on the bridge. These actions aim to disrupt military transport and diminish Russia's regional operational capabilities.
Russia prioritizes protecting the Kerch Bridge. To prevent further damage, the Russians are taking various measures, including building barriers with sunken ferries. Despite these efforts, Ukrainians continue their attacks.
