Moscow has attributed the damage to the bridge connecting the Russian mainland with Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula to Ukraine. This bridge is crucial for Russian bases used in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s forces.
The Russian government reported that two people were killed and their 14-year-old daughter was injured in an explosion on the bridge. Although the bridge remains intact, traffic was temporarily halted.
In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine. Crimea is a popular vacation destination for Russian tourists due to its mountains and beaches. The 12-mile bridge over the Kerch Strait serves as the only direct link between Russia’s Krasnodar region and Crimea, bypassing land routes that are prone to conflict. Moreover, it symbolizes Russia’s claim over Crimea and acts as a vital supply route for Russia’s military into occupied Ukraine.
As of now, Ukrainian authorities have neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack on the bridge.
Ukrainian Foreign Secretary Dmitry Kuleba stated in an interview that “one broken Russian bridge means fewer broken Ukrainian lives, because this bridge is being used to supplement the Russian army in the occupied Crimea and the occupied territories of the south of Ukraine with additional resources.”
Russia has claimed that the attack was carried out by unmanned Ukrainian drones, and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova insinuated that the U.S. and the United Kingdom may also bear some responsibility.
“Decisions are made by Ukrainian officials and the military with the direct involvement of American and British intelligence agencies and politicians,” Zakharova said. “The U.S. and Britain are overseeing a terrorist state structure.”
The previous major attack on the bridge occurred in October.
Russian authorities are arranging ferries to transport some of the 50,000 tourists in Crimea back to the Russian mainland, while others are advised to drive approximately 250 miles through parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces to return home.
“The safety of the Russian army is guaranteed. It will be further strengthened,” stated Vladimir Saldo, the leader appointed by Russia in a section of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region that is under Russian occupation. He also mentioned that the curfew would be relaxed and the formal procedures to pass through checkpoints would be simplified.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
