The explosion destroyed the span of the Crimean bridge: traffic on it was stopped

Source CNN in the Security Service of Ukraine stated that the attack on the Crimean bridge was a joint operation of the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy.

Photo: IStock

The bridge connecting the annexed Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland is a vital supply conduit for Russia's military operations in Ukraine and a personal project of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The nearly 19 km long bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, is the longest in Europe and is of great strategic and symbolic importance to Moscow. The July 17 attack on the bridge was the second since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. According to official data, in October 2022, a fuel truck exploded while crossing the bridge.

A source in the SBU said that this attack was a joint operation of the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy. The source spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not allowed to speak about it officially.

Two people were killed and their daughter was wounded in the attack, according to Russian-appointed officials.

On the subject: Elon Musk offered to give Crimea to Russia, and then this began on Twitter ...

Around 03:00 local time on 17 July, two strikes were reported that damaged part of the bridge.

The governor of the Belgorod region of Russia, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed that two people were killed in the incident, and another was injured.

Gladkov said that the girl was injured, and her parents died when they were driving in a car damaged in the incident.

“There is damage to the roadway on the spans of the Crimean bridge,” the Russian Ministry of Transport said in a Telegram message.

Bridge spans are the spaces between the supports. Images showed a partial collapse of the bridge's roadway, which also carries railroad tracks.

In his Telegram channel, the so-called head of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov, appointed by the occupation authorities of Russia, accused Ukraine of damaging the bridge.

“Tonight the terrorist regime in Kyiv committed a new crime - they attacked the Crimean Bridge,” Konstantinov said. “The railway track was not damaged as a result of the attack.”

Sergei Aksyonov, also the Russian-appointed head of Crimea, said there was a report of an "emergency" that resulted in the suspension of traffic on a bridge that serves as a vital logistical hub for Russia's military in its war in Ukraine.

Videos posted to Telegram Baza, Gray Zone and other local news outlets showed parts of the bridge collapsed and a damaged vehicle.

The so-called head of the Crimea, Aksyonov, said that emergency services and law enforcement officers had left for the scene. The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation added that the bridge is being checked.

Aksyonov urged residents and those traveling to and from Crimea to choose an alternative land route. This means that everyone who wishes will have to travel through the occupied Ukrainian territories.

In October last year, another powerful explosion partially damaged the crossing, causing parts of it to collapse.

The bridge was seriously damaged on 8 Octoberwhen a fuel truck exploded and destroyed a large section of the road. In response to the attack, which took place the day after Putin turned 70, Ukrainian officials posted a video of a burning bridge, along with a video of Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President."

Russia built the 19-kilometer bridge at a cost of about $3,7 billion after Moscow illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014. It was the physical expression of Russian President Vladimir Putin's goal of taking over Ukraine and tying it to Russia forever.

This is the most important artery for supplying Crimea with both daily needs and supplies for the military, as well as fuel and goods for the civilian population.

Russia-backed peninsula official Yelena Elekchyan said Crimea was well-supplied with fuel, food and manufactured goods.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

After the October 8 explosion, Russia quickly began repairing the span. In February 2023, the bridge was fully reopened to traffic.

Recently, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar made what would seem to be the clearest admission that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the October attack.

“Any problems with logistics are additional difficulties for the occupiers, which create potential advantages for the Ukrainian defense forces,” said Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Service.

Hours after the bridge bombings, Russia announced it was allowing a Ukrainian grain export deal to be terminated, raising fears of global food insecurity.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the decision to terminate the deal had nothing to do with Ukraine's announcement of the strike on the bridge.

“These are completely unrelated events,” he said. “Even before this terrorist attack, President Putin declared his position. And I repeat once again, as soon as part of the Black Sea agreements concerning Russia is fulfilled, Russia will immediately return to implementing the deal.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

Six Drinks to Help You Live Longer and Stay Healthier

Pension in the USA: a complete guide on how to secure a decent old age in America

The most mysterious secret base in the United States: what really happens there

Expert Tips: Effective Mosquito and Tick Protection Methods

17 sites with which you can learn English

Which airlines are most likely to lose or damage baggage

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.