Russia says Ukraine launched 'terrorist attack' on Crimean Bridge

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia on Saturday said Ukraine attempted to strike the Crimean Bridge with a S-200 missile, adding the missile was detected and shot down.

“Today, the Kyiv regime attempted to launch a terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge with an air defense guided missile S-200, converted into a strike version. The Ukrainian missile was promptly detected and intercepted in the air by Russian air defense systems. There were no damage and no injuries,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Separately, the head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said on Telegram that two missiles were shot down, repeating the Defense Ministry's statement that there was no damage to the bridge.

A smoke screen has been installed on the bridge, and traffic will resume soon, he said.

The Ukrainian authorities are yet to respond to Russia's claims, however, the state news agency Ukrinform shared a photo of the bridge, showing heavy smoke on both sides, accompanied by a mocking note: "We would like to remind the invaders that smoking harms the health and integrity of illegally erected bridges."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in July that attacks on Russian territory are an "inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process."

In addition, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak told Ukrainian 24 on Friday that drone attacks on Russian territory will become "more frequent and effective."

The Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge as it crosses the Kerch Strait, connects mainland Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which has been under its control since 2014.