Russian forces erect new crossing near Kherson to transport military equipment

IRYNA BALACHUK – WEDNESDAY, 3 AUGUST 2022, 13:59

Russian forces have started using a ferry crossing to transport military equipment on the Dnipro river near the Russian-occupied city of Kherson. Images of the crossing have been captured by the Planet Labs satellite.

Source: Skhemy, an investigative branch of Radio Svoboda (Radio Liberty), with reference to Planet Labs images

Details: Skhemy reports that this is the second crossing constructed by the Russian occupiers after the strikes carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed the Antonivka road and rail bridges near Kherson.

The ferry crossing for military equipment first appeared on Planet Labs satellite images on 1 August near the village of Prydniprovske in Kherson Oblast, not far from the Antonivka railway bridge.

The satellite image captured six pieces of Russian military equipment in the process of crossing the river and another four on the river bank.

Skhemy reports that the vehicles in the image appear to be canvas covered trucks which are typically used to transport armament, ammunition, foodstuffs, etc.

Kremlin-aligned Russian media have earlier reported that a pontoon crossing was erected near the damaged Antonivka road bridge and will be used to transport civilians. The Planet Labs satellite has also captured this crossing.

Background:

There are three crossings connecting the left and the right banks of the Dnipro river in Kherson Oblast. There is the Antonivka road bridge near Kherson, the Antonivka rail bridge, and the Kakhovka reservoir dam in Nova Kakhovka.

Russian occupying forces mostly used the Antonivka bridge to transfer their troops and military equipment because it is the crossing that is closest to Kherson. However, after the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the Anotivka road bridge, it became unsuitable for use.

At present, Russian occupiers have to make a significant detour via Nova Kakhovka in order to transfer their troops to the right bank of Dnipro and replenish their supplies.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to destroy Russian storage facilities and to liberate Ukrainian towns and villages in Kherson Oblast.

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