Explosions Hit Critical Bridges Between Occupied Crimea and Russian-Controlled Areas, Russian Authorities Say
In a recent escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia, critical road bridges linking occupied Crimea with parts of the Kherson region under Russian control were hit by explosions, according to Russian authorities. The blasts occurred on the same day that a drone was shot down by Moscow as it approached the city. Additionally, Ukraine targeted one of Russia’s largest oil tankers with a sea drone and carried out an attack on a major naval base.
Russian-appointed acting head of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, stated that the missiles used in the attacks were Storm Shadows, an air-launched long-range missile supplied to Ukraine by the UK. He clarified that the two bridges were primarily used by civilian traffic and not the military. The explosions caused a rupture in a gas pipeline, cutting off supplies to around 20,000 residents in the city of Henichesk.
Saldo expressed his disapproval of the missile attacks, describing them as “sneaky” and unforgivable. He compared the actions to that of a wounded animal snapping back. Despite the disruption caused, he assured that no one was injured and the bridges would reopen to traffic by the end of the day.
In response to the attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a Russian guided aerial bomb struck a blood transfusion center in the Kharkiv region, resulting in casualties. While Zelensky did not provide specific numbers, he emphasized the gravity of the situation.
Furthermore, a new wave of Russian missiles targeted various sites across Ukraine overnight. While most of these missiles were successfully intercepted, it highlights the increasing frequency of strikes within Russia and Russia-controlled territories.
Ukraine has pledged to continue targeting Russian shipping and the Crimea bridge. Head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, defended the attacks, stating that they were conducted within the territorial waters of Ukraine and therefore legal. Maliuk emphasized that if Russia wishes to stop these explosions, they must leave Ukrainian territorial waters and land.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with each side retaliating against the other’s infrastructure and territory. The situation remains tense, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region.