Ukraine's armed forces achieve multiple strategic goals targeting Russian air defense systems in Crimea – intelligence chief
Photo: open sources
In temporarily occupied Crimea, Ukraine achieved three objectives by striking Russian air defense systems: creating gaps in the overall coverage to provide beneficial opportunities for Ukraine's armed forces, depleting the occupiers' missile reserves, and demonstrating the ineffectiveness of Russian equipment.
The head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said this in an interview with The War Zone of The Drive.
The head of Ukrainian intelligence emphasized that air defense systems are costly equipment. The production of such equipment takes much time.
It should be noted that on September 14, the military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy of Ukraine conducted a unique special operation near the temporarily occupied Yevpatoria on the territory of Crimea. According to its results, the Russian anti-aircraft complex "Triumph" worth 1.2 billion dollars was destroyed. Then, drones and Neptune missiles worked effectively on the target.
Defenders of Ukraine destroyed another "Triumph" in Crimea on August 23. Both the installation itself, as well as the missiles installed on it and the personnel who were nearby, were eliminated.
Budanov explained that as Russian air defense systems are destroyed individually, the occupiers need to think about where they can pull those systems up and where they might be less well defended elsewhere. This is how "holes" are formed, which play into the hands of the Ukrainian military.
"These holes are used for other purposes. In addition, we are depleting their air defense missile reserves since they are not unlimited. And from a political point of view, we are also demonstrating the obvious failure of Russian air defense systems, which makes them less profitable in the world arms markets," – said the head of Ukraine's intelligence.
Moreover, when interviewed by The War Zone publication, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence was queried about potential attacks on the Crimean Bridge. In response, Budanov stated:
"The question is not whether we will strike or not. We do it regularly so that we will bring the matter to an end. It is only a matter of time," said the head of Ukrainian intelligence.
To clarify, what will be the reaction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence answered: "He will be upset again. What options does he have?"
For reference:
On the night of July 17, explosions were heard on the Crimean Bridge. The span leading to Taman was destroyed, and the one leading to Kerch was damaged.
Media sources in the Security Service of Ukraine said that these explosions resulted from a special operation by Ukraine's Security Service and the Naval Forces. The bridge was attacked using surface drones.
Given this context, the Ukrainian Security Service has reminded that international laws and warfare rules permit cutting off the enemy's logistical routes.
In addition, on October 8, 2022, an explosion followed by a fire occurred on the bridge over the Kerch Strait. After that, part of the road surface collapsed on the bridge; traffic was blocked.
Later, on October 20, 2022, Zelensky stated that Ukraine did not order the "attack" on the Crimean Bridge.
Already on July 23, 2023, Zelensky called the Crimean Bridge a target that must be neutralized.
In Russia, the attack on the Crimean bridge was referred to as a "terrorist attack," and it was stated that repairs would not be possible before November.
