Massive explosion destroys the only bridge between Russia and Crimea in suspected attack by Ukraine
Massive explosion destroys the only bridge between Russia and Crimea in suspected attack by Ukrainian saboteurs that threatens to cut off annexed peninsula from Putin’s reinforcements
- A huge explosion has hit the only bridge between Crimea and Russia, a crucial supply line for Putin’s forces
- Footage shows the blast following the rail bridge engulfed in flames and the road bridge next to it collapsed
- The cause of the explosion is not yet known but Ukraine has been targeting Russian logistics in recent weeks
- Footage appears to show a truck exploding on the road section of the bridge as sabotage is suspected
A crucial bridge linking Russia and Ukraine has caught fire in a spectacular explosion in a suspected attack by Ukraine as the country cuts of supplies to Russian forces.
A train carrying fuel erupted in flames on the crossing, built by Vladimir Putin as a key link to the territory he invaded in 2014.
The only bridge between Crimea and the Russian mainland has been vital to the Russian military for supplying Putin‘s war in Ukraine.
Ukraine has previously threatened to target the bridge and has been damaging Russian logistics in recent weeks.
Footage of the incident appear to show a truck exploding on the road section of the bridge as it drives towards Kerch in Crimea.
It was unclear if this may have been a suicide bomb in a truck but there have been no reports of incoming missiles. Some witnesses claimed there were two explosions .
A voice on one video is heard saying: ‘It seems to me there were two explosions, no? — If it was a missile, it would hit the second [rail] bridge too in any case.’
There were suggestions Putin may address the nation on the bridge explosion amid fears he will unleash havoc on Ukraine.
He has already hinted that he could use nuclear weapons in the war with Ukraine.
Pictures show the bridge linking Russia to Crimea ablaze early this morning following a huge explosion
The cause of the fire is not yet clear but Ukraine has been targeting Russian logistics in recent weeks
The rail bridge from Russia to the Crimean peninsula can be seen engulfed in flames on the right, while a huge section of the road bridge has collapsed into the sea
The fire continued to rage on the rail bridge following the explosion as Russian state media said a fuel tank was on fire
Eyewitnesses said the enormous blast could be heard from miles away, and a column of smoke could be seen rising over the Black Sea
The blast on the Kerch bridge came at 3am GMT today as Ukraine continues its counter-offensive against Russian forces in the south and east of the country.
Footage shows the rail bridge engulfed in flames with the road bridge next to it partially collapsed.
Witnesses claimed the huge explosion could be heard from miles away as a train in the middle of the bridge burst into flames.
The fire occurred hours after explosions rocked the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv early on Saturday, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering a series of secondary explosions.
Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said the early-morning explosions were the result of missile strikes in the centre of the city.
He added that the blasts sparked fires at one of the city’s medical institutions and a non-residential building. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The cause of the fire is not yet known but Russian state TV claimed a fuel tank was on fire on the bridge.
Pictures in the aftermath of the explosion show the devastation it caused on the crucial road and rail bridge
Russian officials said they faced an ’emergency’ on the bridge with the train on fire.
A Russian Telegram channel said: ‘It is likely that an improvised explosive device hidden in any of the passing vehicles was detonated.’
Videos showed the massive inferno on the bridge – opened in 2018 – which the Ukrainians have long threatened to target.
Comments on one video said: ‘Looks like something flew into the bridge’ and: ‘They exploded it.’
Russia initially admitted to a fuel storage tank catching fire at 6am local time but it was unclear if a bomb or missile had caused the ignition.
Oleg Kryuchkov, aide to the Kremlin-appointed head of annexed Crimea, said: ‘According to preliminary information, a fuel storage tank is on fire….
‘Navigable arches were not damaged.
‘It is too early to speak about causes and consequences.
‘Work to extinguish the blaze is under way.’
Initial reports said the road section of the cross as well as the rail part was damaged.
Several drivers echoed a comment that ‘something is lying on the road’.
Local comments on video suggested an ‘explosion’ as if from a bomb or missile but there was no immediate confirmation.
Russian-controlled Crimean Railways said: ‘A fuel tank at the tail of a freight train caught fire.
‘The locomotive with some carriages was brought to Kerch station.’
The bridge crosses from Crimea to Russia’s Krasnodar region.
If it is out of action, it will hit Putin’s supply routes to the territory he grabbed eight years ago.
Ukraine in recent days has grown more ambition in predicting they will retake the peninsula.
Rybar pro-Russian Telegram channel reported:
‘There was an explosion at around 6am on one of the sections of the Crimean Bridge.
‘According to official reports, a fuel tanker caught fire.
‘Road services and the Emergencies Ministry are working at the scene of the fire and traffic has been temporarily suspended.
‘However, photos and video footage show one of the vehicles being put out of action, which in no way could have happened due to a simple fire.
‘It is likely that an improvised explosive device hidden in any of the passing vehicles was detonated.’
Russian source speculation on an underwater drone being responsible for the attack on the Crimean Bridge – long seen as a prize target by the Ukrainians.
Pro-Kremlin war reporter Andrey Rudenko said: ‘What kind of power did the explosion have to for a span of the bridge to go under water?
‘It is quite possible to assume that the main explosion was underwater.
‘At the beginning of the year, there were reports that the West had supplied Ukraine with underwater kamikaze drones.’
Army General Sergey Surovikin is reported to have taken charge of Putin’s war in Ukraine after a series of setbacks for Russian since it invaded in February
The British Ministry of Defence said in June: ‘For over thirty years, Surovikin’s (right) career has been dogged with allegations of corruption and brutality’
Ukraine has been launching a successful counter-offensive against Russia in the last few weeks, claiming miles of territory
The apparent attack came the day after Vladimir Putin’s 70th birthday.
He called for immediate vengeance against Kyiv.
‘However, I’m sure now what happened will be [officially] declared a disaster [not caused by Ukraine].
But then Russia will ‘do the right thing’.
‘It is necessary to answer in such a way that the earth burns under the feet of these creatures.’
The blast came as a new Russian general was reportedly put in charge of Putin’s ‘special military operation’.
Though not officially announced, Army General Sergey Surovikin has taken over command, say reports.
The British Ministry of Defence said in June: ‘For over thirty years, Surovikin’s career has been dogged with allegations of corruption and brutality.’
The conversation was caught with two men in a car on the bridge.
‘We better leave it I guess,’ one said.
‘What do we do?’
‘I have young children.’
One of the men makes a call to an Anatoly [Tolya] saying: ‘I ‘m going to be late, the bridge is on fire.’
Queues of cars were reported on the peninsula, with some drivers accommodated at Kerch airport.
‘A temporary accommodation facility was set up at the airport site with toilets, tents, food and water.
‘Car traffic is currently diverted to the airport.’
Russia stuck to the line that it was a train fire.
‘A truck was blown up on the Crimean bridge’, RBC was told in Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee.
‘This led to the ignition of seven fuel tanks of the train. Two car spans of the bridge partially collapsed.’
Fury was building after the destruction of the bridge among pro-war Moscow commentators.
Vladimir Kornilov, RIA Novosti state media columnist, said: ‘I know what we are about to hear: it is time to hit the decision-making centres and leave not a single bridge intact in Kyiv.
‘I would say this too, if it had not been said a million times already.
‘One thing is certain: as long as we do not respond harshly to more and more brazen sabotage by limiting ourselves to empty threats, this sabotage will only intensify and intensify.’
Anton Krasovsky, RT media boss, said: ‘For the bridge it is necessary to answer ruthlessly. [Attack] Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr. Stop being patient!’