Antonivsky Bridge Strike: Signal to Occupiers

July 19, 2022February 6, 2026

Today the Armed Forces of Ukraine delivered a precision Antonivsky Bridge strike in Kherson. Overall, this event is interesting both in itself and in terms of details that inevitably flow from this fact.

Actually, to understand the scale of the event, it’s worth looking at the consequences of the arrival. It looks approximately like this:

As you can see, the ammunition wasn’t of the largest caliber. Plus, the arrival was very precise. But the video shows only two holes. We didn’t find reports on the Network that there were arrivals somewhere near the bridge. This means either two separate ammunition pieces accurately hit the target, or one shell carried two sub-munitions that separate when approaching the target. We already have this technology. Overall, this most likely isn’t a HIMARS rocket. The description of warheads that the Armed Forces of Ukraine use gives a somewhat different idea of what the arrival site could look like.

Precision That Sends a Message

If two missiles independently hit the bridge, they should have caused more serious destruction. Artillery manuals describe well the separation of warheads into two separate charges for one type of 155mm howitzer shells. Part of these ammunition could reach the bridge. In any case, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have tools to choose from for precisely this purpose. As now clear, they can vary them depending on what result they intended. And here everything becomes very interesting.

On one hand, our military showed that they have no problems laying ammunition with accuracy up to a meter at a distance of dozens of kilometers. If the enemy tried to do the same with artillery forces, it’s hard to even imagine how much ammunition would go to getting a similar effect. Most likely, cruise missiles would be used for this, as recently demonstrated in Cherkasy. There a section of the automobile part of the bridge across the Dnipro was collapsed.

Here clearly there was no goal to collapse the bridge. Simply it was shown that if necessary, this will be done easily and without special problems. Well, and besides, it was demonstrated once again that the Orc¹ army has no means that could actively intercept such “gifts”. If they can’t intercept HIMARS missiles, which have quite impressive dimensions, then intercepting guided barrel artillery shells is even more impossible. Thus, our military clearly showed technological superiority over the enemy. The explosions happened precisely of such power to demonstrate the seriousness of intentions.

The General Staff’s Warning

And here let’s remember how the General Staff addressed Kherson residents. They asked that by the moment liberation of the city begins, they be in a safe place and away from street fighting. Civilian population will constrain our troops’ actions. The enemy doesn’t care about civilians, but ours do. And right now this bridge shelling can be viewed as a hint to the enemy. Now the last opportunity to leave is given. Because later — it will be too late for quite obvious reasons.

Among other things, this was a demonstration to the Orcs that their command has no possibilities to hold the bridge until their departure. Their army simply has no means that could guarantee this. The holes in the bridge can’t be commented on any other way. And if so, then smart Orcs became fully aware. When it’s decided to demolish a bridge span, this will only be a matter of technique. Namely — a couple of heavier ammunition will arrive.

Thus, the Orcs now have complete confidence that the Armed Forces of Ukraine can disable the bridge simply at any moment. They understand perfectly that the whole city knows they themselves mined the bridge. Therefore, our military don’t need to assume they will capture it intact. Simply put, it doesn’t matter who takes it out of action. Commanders already decided this question. Our military unlikely give more than 10-15% chance that forces can use it to develop an offensive toward Crimea.

The Antonivsky Bridge Strike: Last Chance to Withdraw

But it’s clear the enemy acts on orders from his Führer. Therefore, he still comforts himself with hope that he’ll manage to advance on Odessa. If he had such an opportunity in reality, today the bridge would already cease to perform its function. But such an opportunity still seems real in Khuilo’s² head. And if so, the enemy has option “B” with blowing up the bridge only if they have to hastily leave Kherson. And for now, he’s obliged to ensure its security and defense. How he does this has already become clear to everyone.

And here analysts see the following considerations about what the hint to the enemy was. He should understand that Ukraine is a civilized country. Not inclined to executions and such. And precisely this Antonivsky Bridge strike gives Orcs the opportunity to understand everything and leave. If they don’t understand this, then next the following will happen. As soon as the offensive on Kherson begins, Ukrainian forces will attack the bridge. They will bring it to such a state where forces can no longer use it. And in combat conditions — impossible to restore. First of all, commanders will do this to deprive the enemy of the ability to bring reinforcements and carry out logistics of his grouping trapped in the city.

But this same action will also deprive the opportunity to evacuate those who decide too late that it’s time to flee. And this will be precisely the situation when the cauldron slams shut at the thinnest place. Of course, you can swim, but this will already be a completely different scenario with different risks. As we remember, the enemy tried for a long time to leave at least one bridge across the Seversky Donets. Then use it to transfer his troops to the opposite bank.

The Cauldron Awaits: Encirclement Is Closing In

But the Seversky Donets isn’t the Dnipro. Crossing such a river this way will be times more difficult. Accordingly, losses will be greater by times or by an order of magnitude. Therefore, the enemy will need to draw appropriate conclusions right today. If everything there works as it always works, he’ll try to drive as many troops into the city as possible. Bring in ammunition while this can be done over the bridge. But in that case, the cauldron will turn out even more epic than if there were only those troops that were there all the time.

In that case, our forces will simply need to cut off this retreat path. Leaving, the Orcs will create wild savagery. Conversely, finding themselves surrounded, they’ll face the reality of ending up in the hands of local population before the Armed Forces of Ukraine reach them. And in that case, no one will envy them. The Armed Forces of Ukraine observe conventions. But local population and partisans aren’t obliged to do this. What can be expected from people whose relatives and neighbors the Orcs killed and raped right before their eyes?

So the Antonivsky Bridge strike signals everyone — both Kherson residents and Orcs. For everyone who understands this, commanders have made the announcement.

¹Orcs – a common term for Russians who support or participate in the armed aggression against Ukraine. Dehumanizing? Yes. Accurate? Also yes.

²Khuilo – the most popular nickname for Russian dictator V. Putin. First used during the 2014 invasion, and since 2022 most Ukrainians call him only that. See more on Wikipedia.