2Ukraine’s security service has publicly taken credit for the explosive damage inflicted on the Kerch Bridge, a crucial transportation link between the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and Russia, for the first time. The attack, which Russian authorities attributed to a truck bomb, occurred last October and left three people dead. Ukrainian Security Service head Vasyl Malyuk made the announcement on national television, stating that his agency was responsible for the destruction of the Crimean bridge on October 8.
Malyuk’s remarks were cautious, however, as he hinted at other covert operations carried out by Ukrainian forces, saying that some operations would only be publicly disclosed after the country’s victory. He did not provide further details about the explosion, nor did he address the recent attack on the bridge that claimed the lives of a couple and seriously injured their daughter.
Kerch Bridge
The Kerch Bridge’s significance lies not only in its functionality as a crucial logistics route for military and civilian supplies but also as a potent symbol of Moscow’s control over the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian authorities initially downplayed the severity of the damage, but the subsequent attacks have highlighted the bridge’s vulnerability. Despite the recent incident, Malyuk made no mention of who was responsible for it, leaving the question of whether it was another Ukrainian operation or a separate incident unanswered.
The acknowledgment of Ukrainian responsibility for the initial explosion marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The Kerch Bridge has long been a disputed territory, with Ukraine viewing its annexation by Russia as illegal and Moscow maintaining a strong grip on the peninsula. This latest revelation highlights Ukraine’s determination to challenge Russian control and assert its sovereignty over the region.
