I believe they are dolphins
which leads me to assume that the attack was to a large span intended for the passage of shipping.
If they brought down the span over the main shipping channel, would that close off access for cargo ships? Or would the debris be deep enough for ships to still transit the pass?
Thank you. I wasn’t familiar with that term.
It would almost certainly close access until cleared. The water depth at the bridge is 9 meters. Passage under the bridge is already restricted to ships with 8 meter draft, so any debris would pretty much close it.
I’m not a sailor, but 15 minutes of research makes it seem that the channel is shallow. The average depth is often listed as 59 feet. If the superstructure fell it would need to be removed for resumption of normal navigation.
From Wikipedia:
The main channel can accommodate vessels up to 215 meters long with a draft of up to 8 meters with a compulsory pilot assistance. The canal is not straight, and its geometry further complicates safe navigation. The narrowness, limited depth, and turns of the main channel together with the often unpredictable effects of wind and visibility (fog) mean that there are strict procedures regulating strait transit. Transit of large vessels occurs on a one-way (alternating) group convoy basis.
I first learnt it here on the Straight Dope last year, when the Francis Scott Key bridge came down.
“Fighting ignorance (and building vocabulary!) since 1973!
The Russians intentionally made the span low enough to deny passage of Panamax ships to the Ukrainian port of Berdiansk…which is now occupied by Russia. One more instance of Russia shooting themselves in the foot.
Anything to pwn the Khokhol.
Oops
In Moscow, Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylaš, commander of the Russian Air Force, accidentally fell out of a window.
Detailed review of the strategic implications for Russia of the Spider’s Web:
Russia really needs to teach window safety.
I very much doubt that is true. It’s been two days since that post. Google cannot find anyone confirming that, except for other Instaxbook posts repeating one another.
TASS also doesn’t think he’s dead. What’s the point of smashing a window if no-one hears the glass breaking?
If an oligarch falls in the city, and no one hears it, did he make a noise?
They’re trying to evolve oligarchs who can fly.
Putin is probably tired of Zelensky talking about it. He just drones on and on.
I found some of the videos interesting. They flew UNDER one of the bombers. By doing this they targeted planes loaded with missiles. This ensures it’s a functional bomber AND take out the missiles.
They must have watched the base to see what was loaded.
It’s not clear to me whether Ukraine want the Crimea bridge completely down and out of commission, or just damaged enough to prevent use and force Russia to devote resources to fixing it. Either are valid strategies.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is damaging Russian missiles by striking their launchers:
And Russia is damaging Russian missiles by firing them at Ukrainian cities:
I’m pretty sure that complete destruction is considered the best-case scenario, but that damage and draining resources is an acceptable outcome.
Huge fire breaks out at Russian oil refinery after suspected Ukrainian drone attack
- Footage shows a fire raging at the industrial site in Kstovo, around 500 miles from the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Drones from train cars!!
I remember many discussions about the Abrams at the beginning of the war. It’s a very good tank, but it requires a lot of maintenance.
I suspect Ukraine ran the Abrams until they required maintenance to run. A dead tank is easy pickings for the Russians.