UK Ministry of Defense: Russia Completes Barge Bridge in Kherson... Preparing to Retreat?

"Russian Forces Face Increasing Pressure from Kherson Direction"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] On the 22nd (local time), the UK Ministry of Defence reported that a large pontoon bridge was completed in Kherson, Ukraine, which is occupied by Russia.

The UK Ministry of Defence stated on social media (SNS) that "Russian forces continue to strengthen the crossing points on the Dnipro River and have completed a pontoon bridge next to the damaged Antonovsky Bridge in Kherson."

The Antonovsky Bridge is a 1,366-meter-long bridge connecting the south and north banks of the Dnipro River, running east-west through the Kherson region. The Ukrainian military damaged this bridge with a rocket attack in July, and since then, repeated attacks and repairs by both sides have made normal passage difficult.

The UK Ministry of Defence also said, "It is almost certain that Soviet-era operational plans included the use of heavy pontoon bridges, but it is likely the first time in decades that Russian forces have needed to utilize such a type of bridge."

Furthermore, the UK Ministry of Defence explained the background of the pontoon bridge, stating, "Russia has lost a significant amount of engineering equipment and personnel since the invasion," and "using civilian pontoons offers advantages in terms of materials and transportation."

The UK Ministry of Defence added, "If the pontoon bridge is damaged, Russia will try to repair or replace it quickly," and "this is because the pressure on Russian forces and the Dnipro River crossing points from Kherson is increasing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.