2023-07-17 10:35:41
► The Crimean bridge hit by an attack, two civilians killed
Two civilians were killed in the attack that targeted the bridge linking Russia to the annexed peninsula of Crimea overnight, Russian authorities said on Monday July 17, accusing Ukraine and opening an investigation for “terrorist act”.
“Two civilians, a man and a woman driving in a passenger car on the bridge, were killed”said in a press release the Russian Investigation Committee, stating that their daughter had been injured.
“The investigation identifies members of Ukrainian special services and armed formations involved in the organization and execution of this crime”added this organization in charge of the main criminal cases, assuring that the attack and was carried out by “naval surface drones”.
The Crimean Bridge, 18 kilometers long and inaugurated in 2018 after the annexation of the peninsula by Russia, consists in fact of two parallel works, one reserved for road traffic and the other for rail traffic. I
►The Ukrainian special services and the Ukrainian navy behind the attack
A source within the Ukrainian security services (SBU) assured that “ today’s attack on the Crimean bridge is a special operation of the SBU and the Navy »stating that “the bridge was attacked using naval drones”.
“Any illegal structure used to deliver Russian instruments of mass murder is necessarily ephemeral…regardless of the reasons for the destruction”commented on Twitter an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, Mykhaïlo Podoliak.
Any illegal structures used to deliver Russian instruments of mass murder are necessarily short-lived… regardless of the reasons for the destruction.
— Mykhailo Podolyak (@Podolyak_M) July 17, 2023
► kyiv says it has taken back 18 km2 from the Russians
Ukraine claimed on Monday July 17 to have taken back 18 km2 from Russian forces throughout Ukrainian territory in a week, including 7 km2 around the devastated city of Bakhmout (east), which fell under Russian control in May after months of deadly clashes. “Over the past week, as a result of improved operational (tactical) positioning and alignment of the front line towards Bakhmout, (a) territory of 7 km2 has been liberated”said Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Maliar.
She added that 11 square kilometers had been retaken in the south at the same time, bringing to 18 square kilometers the total area Ukrainians say they recaptured last week in the country.
► Traffic interrupted on an important Crimean bridge after an “emergency”
Traffic was halted on a major bridge linking Crimea to Russia’s Krasnodar region after an incident, Russian officials and media said overnight Sunday-Monday.
“An emergency has occurred in the area of the 145th pillar from the Krasnodar Territory”located in the southwest of Russia, said the Russian governor of the annexed peninsula of Crimea Sergei Aksionov, without specifying the nature of the incident. “The police and all the competent services are hard at work”he added, asking motorists to choose an alternative route.
► Possible expiration of the grain agreement
Uncertainty remains Monday on the future of the grain agreement in the Black Sea deemed crucial for world food, a few hours from its expiration.
Silence and discretion surrounded all weekend the last-ditch maneuvers led by Turkey and the UN to convince Moscow to extend the cereals agreement signed in July 2022 on the Bosphorus.
It has over the past year ensured the safe passage of cargo ships to and from Ukrainian ports despite the war, transporting a total of almost 33 million tonnes of grain destined for world markets.
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