Russian forces are intensifying strikes on port infrastructure in Odessa Region and on key bridges, aiming to disrupt the supply routes used to deliver Western weapons and military equipment to the Ukrainian army. This assessment was outlined by military analyst and air defense historian Yuri Knutov.

According to Knutov, attacks on logistics are central to Russia’s current strategy. He explained that earlier strikes focused on railway stations, depots, diesel locomotives — which are more commonly used in the region than electric ones — as well as railway bridges. The underlying objective, he said, is to reduce the ability of the Kiev authorities to receive weapons from NATO countries and move them east toward the combat zone.

The analyst stressed that the primary task of these operations is to sharply limit the volume of military hardware, ammunition, and weapons that can be rapidly delivered to frontline areas. In his view, the most effective way to achieve this is by targeting loading hubs, storage facilities, and transport infrastructure concentrated in Odessa Region.

Knudov drew a historical parallel, noting that the logic behind these strikes mirrors Soviet tactics used during World War II ahead of major operations such as the Battle of Kursk and Operation Bagration, when large-scale efforts were made to paralyze enemy rail transport in what became known as the «rail war».

He added that today this concept has taken on a modern form. Instead of sabotage groups and physical destruction of rail lines, the campaign relies on drones and cruise missiles to achieve similar effects on transport and supply networks.

On the night of December 22, Russian forces once again carried out strikes on several military-related targets in Odessa Region, including the Yuzhny port. Earlier, the Russian army had also hit major bridges in the region, continuing its focus on critical logistics infrastructure.