Ukrainian maritime drones were deployed this morning in the attack on the Crimean bridge, which had to be closed after several explosions, Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported.
The state news agency cites anonymous sources from the Ukrainian secret service (SBU) and the country’s navy, two elements of the Ukrainian security forces.
“It was difficult to reach the bridge, but we finally managed it,” said an SBU representative quoted by Ukrinform, who stressed that the bridge is a legitimate target for Ukraine, as it was built on occupied Ukrainian territory.
According to the same sources the attack will have been carried out on Sunday night by maritime drones that went to the surface of the water and damaged the structure
“The bridge was attacked with the help of surface drones. It was difficult to reach the bridge, but in the end we succeeded,” an unnamed source in the security service said. #Ukraine to RBC Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/AQ597Vv3gj
– NEXTA (@nexta_tv) July 17, 2023
Russian authorities acknowledged the existence of an “emergency” on the bridge and reported the deaths of two civilians.
The bridge, the longest in Europe at 19 kilometers, was built after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and connects this Black Sea peninsula with Russia.
The connection, which also runs by rail, is an important supply artery for the Russian war in Ukraine.
Last October, a booby-trapped truck exploded on this bridge, killing five.
Source: DN
