Smoke screens and missile threats: Turmoil at the Crimea Bridge
Russians declared a missile threat in Crimea, leading to the closure of the Crimea Bridge. A smoke screen also appeared near the structure, likely prepared by the Russian Federation army using special vehicles (TDA-3).
The announcement of an alarm near the Crimea Bridge does not necessarily imply that Ukrainians intend to target this structure. Unofficially, it is reported that two Storm Shadow missiles were fired towards the bridge over the Kerch Strait. However, the defenders' army has not confirmed these reports, so it cannot be stated with certainty what the target of the potential attack is or what Ukraine intends to hit.
It is insightful to consider the tools currently used by both conflict parties in light of a potential threat to the Crimea Bridge. These include the mentioned TDA-3 vehicles and Storm Shadow missiles, which pose a real threat to objects about 300 kilometres away from the launch site in territories not occupied by Russians in Ukraine—and this range includes the Crimea Bridge. We remind you of the capabilities of these technologies.
Smoke on the Crimea Bridge might not be due to missile strikes
Reports shared on social media indicate clouds of smoke appeared near the Crimea Bridge on Monday, April 15. However, these may not indicate successful Ukrainian strikes in these areas. They might result from activating TDA-3 vehicles, which are capable of covering a significant area with smoke quickly.
The TDA-3 vehicles had been used near the Crimea Bridge before. In May 2023, the Russians tested the capabilities of their new smoke generators there, aiming to protect a valuable object. Unlike previous generations, the TDA-3 can be operated by a two-person crew. Its weight is nearly 16 tonnes, and it contains three modules responsible for generating smoke.
The first module contains a power supply with batteries; the second contains two tanks for the smoke mixture with capacities of around 900 and 2,500 litres. The last module houses a tank for powder (around 2,700 litres) and devices for mixing the ingredients. The effect of this vehicle's work can be observed in the video below.
Meanwhile, the Storm Shadow missiles, reportedly fired towards the Crimea Bridge, are weapons with parameters fitting for an attack in this region. Produced since the early 21st century, the Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles have a range of about 500 kilometres in their basic variant (for the British and French).
The Storm Shadow/SCALP is powered by a turbojet engine that accelerates them to subsonic speeds (up to 0.9 Ma, or about 1,100 kph). Their offensive capabilities are enhanced by a warhead weighing about 450 kilograms BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented CHarge), consisting of two parts. The first is a shaped charge designed to breach the target's external structure, while the second, a penetrating warhead, detonates with a delay. Notably, the Storm Shadow/SCALP are resistant to jamming, making it difficult to neutralize them in flight.
