Russia "Intercepted 2 Ukrainian Missiles Targeting the Crimean Bridge"

Russia announced on the 12th (local time) that the Crimean Bridge, connecting the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia occupied in 2014, to the mainland, was attacked again.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign media, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that "Ukraine attacked the Crimean Bridge with S-200 missiles, but they were detected in time and intercepted by the air defense system." However, it added that there were no damages or casualties from this missile attack.

Earlier, Sergey Aksyonov, head of the Crimean Autonomous Republic, also announced on Telegram that "two missiles launched by Ukraine were intercepted over the Crimean Bridge."

On Russian social media, videos showing the Crimean Bridge engulfed in smoke were posted. Interfax news agency reported that the bridge was temporarily closed.

Separately, the Ministry of Defense stated that Russian forces destroyed 20 Ukrainian drones attacking the Crimean Peninsula early that morning without any damage. Fourteen drones were intercepted by the air defense system, and six crashed due to electronic jamming.

Since the drone attack attempt on the Kremlin in early May, the frequency of drone and missile attacks targeting Moscow, other parts of the Russian mainland, and the Crimean Peninsula has increased.

Regarding the Crimean Bridge, it was destroyed by an explosion last October but was restored, and on the 17th of last month, it was attacked again, resulting in two deaths.

This bridge is the only one directly connecting the Russian mainland and the Crimean Peninsula. Russian President Vladimir Putin showed great attachment to it, personally driving a truck at the opening ceremony in 2018.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a virtual speech at the Aspen Security Conference in the United States on the 21st of last month that the Crimean Bridge "brings war, not peace," and could be a military target.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.