On the night to Monday, the 17th of July, at least one section of the Crimean Bridge collapsed after several explosions. Road traffic over the bridge is completely halted.
“Traffic is halted on the Crimean bridge. An emergency has occurred around the 145th support from the side of Krasnodar.
💥 Due to the explosion of the Crimean bridge, Putin urgently gathers the Security Council, according to z-channels. Earlier, Shoigu promised immediate “attacks on decision-making centers” in the event of an attack on Crimea.
Near the Crimean (Kerch) bridge there are huge… pic.twitter.com/HsHKsMNSQ9
— Lew Anno Suport #Ukraine 24/2-22 (@anno1540) July 17, 2023
Law enforcement institutions and all appropriate services at working on the side,” as reported by Russian-appointed head of occupational regime in Crimea Sergei Aksyonov.
Various Russian news channels reported on Telegram that at least one of the section of the bridge collapsed after two explosions.
Baza channel reports that one of the sections of the bridge “has collapsed” and that at least two people were killed and one received injuries.
☀️Good Morning!!!
💣💣Crimean Bridge a little bit upset after Ukrainian “gift”
‼️Not dear Russians, run away from the Ukrainian Crimea
Crimea is Ukraine‼️ pic.twitter.com/rnUkXaIylC
— Cloooud |🇺🇦 (@GloOouD) July 17, 2023
Telegram channel Astra reports, referencing reports from local residents, that one of the sections of the bridge has collapsed.
It was later reported that one other section of the bridge was damaged.
Novosti, Kerch, Krim, Rossija channels report there were at least two explosions on the night to Monday. They took place at 03:02 a.m. and 03:20 a.m. (local time) and were heard in different regions of Kerch.
It is assumed it was an attack from the Ukrainian army.
A queue of several kilometres of waiting cars has formed on the entrance to the bridge.
Krasnodar authorities invite Russian citizens to refrain from using the Crimean bridge and instead travel to Crimea using the land route that goes through occupied regions of continental Ukraine.
The faux Head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov spoke about the ‘situation’ on the Crimean bridge.#Crimea #CrimeanBridge #Ukraine #Russia #RussiaUkraineWar pic.twitter.com/7ru3Ivl7m3
— Natalka (@NatalkaKyiv) July 17, 2023
Railway traffic on the Crimean bridge is also halted, as is ferry traffic between Russian Kuban and the Crimean Peninsula.
The Crimean or Kerch bridge was damaged in October 2022, when a truck loaded with explosives exploded on it, collapsing two sections and damaging the nearby railway bridge.
Russian authorities claim it was an attack organised by the Ukrainian army. Kyiv officially denies being involved.
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