The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has stated that Russia continues to redeploy air defence systems to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge, which indicates that defences in other regions are being weakened.
- Russia has deployed air defence systems to Moscow and the Kerch Bridge.
- These sites have become a priority for protection.
- Other regions of the Russian Federation remain less well protected.
- Zelenskyy called for lessons to be learnt from the Kremlin’s actions.
- The Kerch Bridge remains a key target for Ukraine.
The Kremlin is concentrating its air defence forces around strategic sites
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the build-up of Russian air defence systems around Moscow and the Kerch Bridge. According to him, these two sites have been given the highest priority within Russia’s defence system due to regular drone attacks and strikes on military infrastructure.
«Russia has moved even more air defence systems from Russian regions to Moscow and to the Kerch Bridge. In fact, it is precisely these two perimeters that the Russians have been ordered to defend, at the expense of weakening other sectors within their own territory and in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. Let us draw our own conclusions,» said Zelenskyy.
Other areas remain less secure
According to the Ukrainian side, redeployment of air defence systems This may indicate a shortage of such resources within the Russian army. The Kerch Bridge remains one of the most important logistical routes for supplying Russian troops in southern Ukraine and in occupied Crimea. At the same time, it is of not only military but also political significance to the Kremlin, which is forcing the Russian leadership to strengthen its defences against potential attacks.
The Crimean Bridge remains a key target
The latest satellite images show an unprecedented build-up of defences around the Kerch Bridge. Russia has deployed additional air defence systems, boom barriers, barges and other engineering structures to protect the crossing from maritime drones and missile strikes. Despite this, the Ukrainian side has repeatedly stated that the bridge remains a legitimate military target due to its role in supporting the occupying forces.
Why it matters
The concentration of Russian air defence systems around Moscow and the Kerch Bridge may indicate a shift in the Kremlin’s priorities regarding the defence of strategic assets. At the same time, the weakening of defences in other areas creates additional risks for Russian military infrastructure and occupation forces in the occupied territories.
