A former Russian lieutenant colonel told the Express what Vladimir Putin “fears most” about the war in Russia Ukrainewhich highlights a major vulnerability of the Kremlin military.
Sergei Gulyaev served for many years as a high-ranking officer in the Soviet army. As part of his military service, he spent two years with the 58th Automotive Brigade in Afghanistan in the 1980s.
Since leaving the army, he has become a political activist and fierce Putin critic, as well as a renowned journalist.
Mr. Gulyaev remains part of a Russian veterans group, made up of former soldiers who served from Afghanistan to Chechnya and beyond.
As such, he maintains close contacts with officers and soldiers in the Russian army and allows family members to join the fight Ukraine.
Earlier in May, Putin's army opened a new front Ukraine's Kharkiv province, leading to speculation that the Kremlin wants to capture the country's second-largest city.
However, the former senior army officer believes that the main focus of RussiaThe summer military offensive will take place elsewhere.
He argued that Putin and his generals will try to secure full control over the Donbas, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. Russia illegally annexed in September 2022.
A crucial supply and logistics route for Putin's army fighting in the south is the 20-kilometer-long Kerch Bridge, which connects Crimea to the Russian mainland.
Mr Gulyaev told the Express that the bridge is the Achilles heel of the Russian army and that Kiev will certainly attack it once the Kremlin resumes its offensive in the south.
“A bridge is generally a very fragile thing,” he explained. “It can be hit from all sides, from the water, from the air, with long-range missiles and even with small drones.
“It's only a matter of time. I am absolutely sure that when the offensive begins in the Zaporizhia region, the first thing Ukraine All we can do is try to cut off supplies through Crimea, because this is currently the fastest supply route for the ammunition and weapons needed to conquer Zaporizhia.
“Supplies must be stopped and I think this will happen. This is the consequence for Putin and it will have a very strong influence and impact. This is what they fear most.”
The Kremlin is forwarding military supplies and equipment Russia via the bridge to Crimea and then to the armies in Kherson and Zaporizhia.
For Russia's generals, this is the fastest and most effective way to supply their armies on the southern front lines.
As such, the bridge is a prime target for Ukrainewhich recently acquired American-made ATACMS with a range of 300 km (186 miles).
The delivery of the longer-range version of the missiles will make things much easier Ukraine's army to target and destroy the bridge.
Kiev has already made two attempts to do so, causing serious damage, but has failed to completely dismantle the building.