Satellite images appear to show six “sunk” vessels at the Crimean bridge over a seven-day period. The bridge is strategically important for Russia and has come under repeated attacks throughout the war.
Russia has “sunk” a number of vessels by the Crimean bridge using what analysts call a “200-year-old strategy” to defend itself against the emerging threat of Ukrainian sea drones.
Satellite images gathered by Sky News show six dark objects in a row appearing over a seven-day period by the Crimean bridge, also known as Kerch Bridge.
The bridge is the only direct link between the transport network of Russia and the Crimean peninsula and has come under repeated attacks throughout the war.
It follows claims made by Ukraine’s intelligence ministry (GUR) that Russia planned to “sink at least six watercraft” by the bridge to create a “protective lane” in front of it.
The GUR also said Russia “intended to install barriers between the sunken ferries” to protect the bridge “from damage”, in a Telegram post last Tuesday.
In satellite imagery taken by Planet Labs PBC on 19 August, no objects are visible in the water south of the bridge, but on 21 August two vessels appear.
Two days later on 23 August another vessel can be seen on the surface of the water.
However, by 26 August, six objects in the exact same positions around 30 metres in length appear in a darker colour – which experts suggest could mean they have been sunk and are below the water.