Smoke And Barriers: The Massive Anti-Drone Defenses Of The Crimea Bridge
Since 2023, Moscow has built up an extensive range of fortifications around the Crimea Bridge linking the occupied Ukrainian Peninsula with mainland Russia. Russian authorities have also reportedly mulled replacing the span with an undersea tunnel.
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This archival photo, taken from a viewpoint above the city of Kerch, shows the Crimea Bridge (aka the Kerch Bridge) as it appeared in December 2019.
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Today the bridge, viewed as a major war target for Kyiv, is flanked by multiple barriers against marine drones. The bridge is also equipped with devices apparently intended to hamper aerial threats.
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The bride's anti-drone measures were captured in satellite photos on June 22 amid a Ukrainian drone strike on nearby facilities in Crimea.
This satellite image shows smoke screens being deployed at several points on the bridge that day, as well as a chain of barges (center) in front of the bridge’s navigation span.
This satellite image shows smoke screens being deployed at several points on the bridge that day, as well as a chain of barges (center) in front of the bridge’s navigation span.
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The barges appear to be intended to funnel vessels approaching from the Black Sea into a narrow passageway that can be monitored by naval patrol boats.
