The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (Defense Intelligence) believes that the Russians will not be able to complete the construction of a railroad along the coast of the Sea of Azov on the occupied Ukrainian territories by the end of 2024. It is considered unlikely that this railroad, which is supposed to run from Rostov-on-Don to Crimea, will be completed within the specified timeframe.
The CFTS portal obtained the corresponding comments from Defense Intelligence within the framework of the preparation of the material "From Rostov to Crimea: How the Russians are Building a Logistics Corridor through the Occupied Ukrainian Azov Coast."
"As of the end of May 2024, preparatory works (creation of earthworks, laying of track ballast, repair/construction of railway bridges, etc.) for the laying of railway tracks are being observed on two sections of the railway route that the enemy plans to build in the TOT (temporarily occupied territories) of Ukraine along the coast of the Sea of Azov," Defense Intelligence said.
However, according to Defense Intelligence, "the widespread report in several Russian media outlets regarding the Kremlin's intentions to complete the construction of the specified railway route by the end of 2024 is considered highly unlikely."
The new railroad is essential for the Russians to create an alternative to the Kerch Bridge for supplying their occupying military contingent in Ukraine and for transporting stolen Ukrainian goods. The railroad’s route is planned to run along the coast of the Sea of Azov from Rostov-on-Don to Taganrog via Mariupol, Berdiansk, and Yakymivka, ending in Dzhankoy in occupied Crimea.
One of the leaders of the occupational railway administration in the Donetsk region reported in March that the Russians had already built a 63-kilometer railroad section along the coast of the Sea of Azov. Freight trains supposedly began operating on this railroad section on March 15. This was the first phase of the project.
Simultaneously, the Russians began construction work on the Mariupol - Berdiansk - Yakymivka section of the railway in early 2024.
