An explosion damaged a bridge that is one of the few links between Crimea and Ukraine's mainland, Russia-backed officials said Thursday, as the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive unfold.
Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, use the Chongar bridge to reach southern Ukraine's Kherson province. Russia and Ukraine control different sides of the province, which is a focus of fighting and attacks as Ukrainian troops try to reclaim Russian-occupied territory.
Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed head of the occupied parts of Kherson province, said the explosion appeared to have been caused by a type of long-range cruise missile that both France and the U.K. have given to Ukraine's military. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu alleged this week that Ukraine planned to use U.S.-made HIMARS and U.K.-provided Storm Shadow missiles to attack Russian territory, including Crimea. He warned that use of those missiles against targets outside the main war zone would "trigger immediate strikes on the decision-making centres on the territory of Ukraine."
The Crimean Peninsula is connected to mainland Ukraine by an isthmus about nine kilometres wide and several bridges.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine strikes bridge linking Crimea to mainland in blow to Russian supply routeThe bridge is beyond range of the battlefield rockets Ukraine has used for a year, but within reach of newly deployed weapons such as British and French air-launched cruise missiles
Read more »
Russia launches dozens of drone strikes across Ukraine; Kyiv says most thwarted | CBC NewsRussia on Tuesday struck at military and infrastructure targets in Ukraine's capital Kyiv and across other parts of the country, including western areas far from the front lines, Ukrainian officials said.
Read more »
Russia says it downed 3 drones outside Moscow, suspects it was attack by UkraineTwo drones were brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit, Moscow region Gov. Andrei Vorobyov said Wednesday, in what could be the latest attempt by Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia during the early stages of Kyiv's most recent counteroffensive.
Read more »
Russia says it downed drones near Moscow, suspects it was attack by UkraineTwo drones were brought down outside Moscow as they approached the warehouses of a local military unit,
Read more »
Ukraine strikes bridge linking Crimea to mainland in blow to Russia’s supply lines - National | Globalnews.caThe Chonhar bridge hit overnight is one of just a handful of access roads to Crimea, which is linked to the Ukrainian mainland by a narrow isthmus.
Read more »
Bail decision for suspected abductor set over to Thursday
Read more »