On June 29, explosions and air defense activity were reported in Kerch, leading to a temporary closure of the Crimean Bridge, a critical supply route for Russian forces. Witnesses reported hearing blasts and observing Russian air defenses in action, although the reason for the closure was initially unclear. The bridge, which has been targeted by Ukraine previously, reopened shortly after. Russia’s Defense Ministry later announced that its air defenses had shot down five Ukrainian drones overnight, but did not report damage to the bridge or Kerch.
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Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced a successful underwater attack on the Kerch Bridge, damaging its supporting structures with a 1100 kg TNT equivalent explosion. The operation, months in the making, involved mining the bridge’s underwater supports and detonating a device early Tuesday morning. The SBU claims to have significantly damaged the bridge, marking their third successful operation against this strategically vital link to Crimea. A video of the explosion was released to support their claim.
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Friedrich Merz, advocating for a proactive Ukrainian military stance, proposed supplying Taurus long-range missiles to strike key Russian infrastructure in Crimea, including the Kerch Bridge. This action, Merz argues, would shift the battlefield dynamic and leverage existing Western support for similar Ukrainian missile capabilities from the US, UK, and France. While Chancellor Scholz previously opposed this, Merz’s potential chancellorship makes this a likely future policy consideration, though support from coalition partners remains uncertain. Merz emphasized this is to empower Ukraine, not to involve Germany directly in combat.
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I can’t help but feel a sense of unease when I think about crossing the Crimean Bridge. Despite being well-guarded, the thought of potential explosions and the bridge being rendered non-functional gives me pause. The recent news of explosions rocking Crimea and the suspension of traffic on the Crimean Bridge only intensifies these feelings. It’s a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and tension in the region.
The Kerch Bridge has become a symbol of this conflict, with many expressing their disdain towards Russia and Putin. The idea of the bridge collapsing or being destroyed seems to resonate with a lot of people, symbolizing a greater resistance against Russian influence.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker