- A couple has been killed and their daughter injured after explosions were reported on the bridge linking Crimea and Russia.
- Ukraine attacked the bridge overnight using unmanned drones on the water surface, Russia’s Anti-Terrorist Committee claims.
- A popular Telegram channel reported two strikes on the road early this morning.
- “Russia will only have one ground supply line – the coastal highway on the Sea of Azov – to sustain or evacuate its tens of thousands of troops in occupied Kherson and Crimea.
- The Russian-backed administration of the Crimean peninsula has urged residents not to travel via the bridge.
At least two people were killed after explosions occurred on the bridge connecting the Crimea Peninsula to Russia, following what Russian officials described as an ’emergency’ on the bridge.
As the operation commenced on the Kerch bridge, traffic has been halted as reports of the explosions broke out, according to AP. Two deaths were confirmed by the health ministry in Russia’s Krasnodar area, while the daughter of the deceased was reportedly injured.
Russia’s anti-terrorist committee has blamed the attack on ‘Ukrainian special services’ and said that a criminal investigation has been launched into the incident. The bridge was ordered to be closed by Crimea’s governor. The extent of the damage on the 19 km-long bridge connecting Crimea with Russia is yet to be known. The bridge was opened up in 2018.
According to Aksyonov, law enforcement agencies, and all responsible services are working on the bridge to restore the situation. He also asked citizens to use an alternative route. The Kerch bridge was severely damaged in October 2022 by a truck bomb and required months of repairs before resuming full service.
Grey Zone, a popular Telegram channel affiliated with the Wagner mercenary group, reported two strikes on the road early this morning. If the bridge has been seriously damaged it will significantly impact Russian supply lines, according to George Barros, an analyst at the Institute for the Study of War.
“Russia will only have one ground supply line – the coastal highway on the Sea of Azov – to sustain or evacuate it’s tens of thousands of troops in occupied Kherson and Crimea if Ukraine manages to degrade or destroy the bridge,” he said.
The Russian-backed administration of the Crimean peninsula has urged residents not to travel via the bridge.
The Russia-Ukraine war is well past the 500 day-mark since Russia invaded the latter on February 2022. Scores of missile attacks and intense fighting have resulted in the deaths of scores of civilians from both sides, along with massive civilian casualties.
(With agency inputs)
