Ukraine strikes Crimean bridge with underwater explosives disrupting Russian supply
Ukraine attacks Crimean Bridge with underwater explosives, severely damaging it and cutting Russian military supplies.
Ukraine announced, on Tuesday, a big hit against Russian forces via Telegram. The bridge, which used to connect Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, has been hit with underwater explosives. This would be the third attack on Moscow's vital supply line since the war began in 2022.
According to Ukraine’s security service (SBU), across several months, their agents had mined the piers of the road and rail of the Kerch Bridge.
What happened in the Kerch Bridge?
While Russian authorities have not announced anything yet, traffic on the bridge has been temporarily suspended. According to the SBU, the first explosion was a 4:44 a.m and the operation used approximately 1,100 kilograms of explosives.
Vasul Malyuk, the head of the SBU, highlighted the fact that the bridge was a legitimate target, as Russia uses it as "a logistical artery to supply its troops” in the conflict with Ukraine.
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Why is the Kerch Bridge so important?
While the bridge is a vital line of supply, it also has a symbolic value for Russian President Vladimir Putin. As the bridge was built in 2018, after the annexation of Crimea to the Russian state in 2014; it is a symbol of the country's power over the area.
Costing $3.7 billion, the bridge is the only connection between the mainland and Crimea. However, it is not the first time it is attacked. In October 2022, a truck exploded on the bridge, engulfing in flames part of it; in July 2023, the SBU also exploded part of it with an experimental drone. Nonetheless, Russia quickly repaired all damages.
