Two individuals have lost their lives in what has been described as an "attack" on the bridge connecting the occupied Crimean Peninsula to Russia. While Moscow has accused Ukraine of being responsible for the incident, alleging involvement from the US and UK, Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility.
The Kerch bridge, which opened in 2018, provides a crucial link for road and rail travel between Russia and Crimea, a region that has been occupied by Moscow's forces since 2014. The Russian transport ministry has stated that the bridge's supports remain undamaged, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that explosions were heard early on Monday.
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Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of attacking the Kerch bridge using "unmanned surface vessels" (USVs) or water-based drones. However, no visual evidence has been presented to support these claims. A source from Ukraine's security service has informed BBC Russian that Ukraine was indeed behind the attack and that water-based drones were employed.
Defense analyst Stuart Crawford believes that drones may have been used to target the bridge's infrastructure. He also suggests that both sides may withhold detailed information about the incident, leading to continued ambiguity.
Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the incident as "another terrorist act" by Ukraine and called for enhanced security measures at the bridge. He stated that Russia's response would follow.
This is the second significant incident to occur at the Kerch bridge in the past year. In October 2022, the bridge was partially closed following a major explosion. The recent incident has caused extensive traffic congestion on the remaining road route out of Crimea, and train delays on the railway have been reported. The ferry crossing parallel to the bridge has also been affected.
Russian officials have advised stranded holidaymakers in Crimea to drive through occupied Ukraine to return home. They have assured that curfew times will be reduced to facilitate the passage of tourists, and the Russian army will ensure the safety of the route.
Commercial flights between Russia and Crimea have been suspended since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Crimea, being a popular holiday destination for Russians since its annexation in 2014, has seen a significant impact from the suspension.
Unverified photos shared by the spokesperson for the Odesa military administration show debris on the bridge and damaged railings. The Ukrainian government has typically provided vague statements rather than claiming direct involvement in such incidents.
The previous attack on the Kerch bridge in October 2022 saw Ukrainian officials hinting at potential targeting, but they refrained from claiming responsibility afterward. It was only recently that a Ukrainian defense official admitted their involvement.
This incident occurs amidst an anticipated counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces aiming to retake territory in southern and eastern Ukraine. According to Ukraine's deputy defense minister Hanna Maliar, the recent gains have amounted to 18 square kilometers (7 square miles) reclaimed over the past week, with a total of 210 square kilometers (81 square miles) since the counter-offensive began.
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