The Crimean Bridge, a vital connection between the annexed Crimean Peninsula and Russia, has recently experienced significant damage to its spans, according to Russia’s Transport Ministry. Multiple Telegram channels have reported strikes on the bridge, and local authorities have confirmed the tragic loss of at least two lives.
In a Telegram statement, the Transport Ministry acknowledged that the spans of the Crimean Bridge had suffered damage. Spans refer to the lengths between the support piers of a bridge. This development follows a previous incident in October, where a massive blast caused partial damage and the collapse of sections of the bridge.
Sergey Aksenov, the Russia-appointed head of Crimea, described the recent event as an “emergency incident,” which resulted in the suspension of traffic on the bridge. The Crimean Bridge holds immense logistical significance for Moscow’s military operations against Ukraine. It serves as a crucial node for transporting personnel and supplies.
According to the Telegram channel Grey Zone, which supports the Wagner mercenary group led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, two strikes were allegedly carried out on the bridge at around 3 a.m. local time. These strikes caused damage to a portion of the bridge. Additionally, explosions were reported by Grey Zone and the popular Crimean blogger ‘TalipoV Online Z’ at approximately 3:04 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. local time.
It’s important to note that CNN has been unable to independently verify these reports. However, videos shared on Telegram by Baza, Grey Zone, and other Crimean news outlets seem to depict a collapsed section of the bridge and a damaged vehicle, supporting the claims made.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the incident, while another person sustained injuries. According to Gladkov, the victims were a couple traveling with their daughter in the affected vehicle.
Emergency responders and law enforcement personnel have been dispatched to the scene, as confirmed by Aksenov, the head of Crimea. The Transport Ministry has also initiated an inspection of the bridge to assess the extent of the damage.
Aksenov urged residents and travelers heading to or from Crimea to consider alternative land routes. While the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, spans nearly 12 miles and serves as the longest bridge in Europe, it is critical to both road and rail traffic.
This bridge holds immense strategic and symbolic importance for Russia. Constructed at a cost of around $3.7 billion after the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, it symbolizes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s objective of asserting control over Ukraine and permanently binding it to Russia. Moreover, it serves as a crucial artery for supplying Crimea with daily necessities, military provisions, fuel, and civilian goods.
Elena Elekchyan, a Russian-backed official of the peninsula, reassured that Crimea remains adequately supplied with fuel, food, and industrial goods. Following the October 8 blast, Russia promptly initiated repair efforts, leading to the full reopening of the bridge to traffic in February.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar, made what appeared to be the clearest admission yet, acknowledging that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the October attack.
