On the 8th, the only bridge connecting Crimea in southern Ukraine, which Russia unilaterally annexed eight years ago, and southern Russia, exploded with a large fire on the 8th, and part of the bridge collapsed.
The explosion occurred at the 19-kilometer-long Crimea Bridge, which has been a symbol of Russia's control of Crimea.
The ``National Anti-Terrorism Commission'', which is made up of Russian security agencies, announced that ``a truck exploded on the highway of the bridge, and a fuel tank carried by a train running nearby caught fire.'' The Federal Investigative Commission, which handles the case, said three people were confirmed dead near the scene.
The Crimean Bridge is a strategically important supply route for carrying goods to Crimea for Russia.
President Putin instructed Prime Minister Mishustin to set up a government commission to quickly investigate the cause, and after that, in order to strengthen the security of infrastructure facilities such as electricity and gas connecting Crimea and Russia, Russia's security agency FSB = federal government. I made it clear that I gave authority to the Security Agency.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has not mentioned direct involvement.
After the fire, the Russian side announced that some roads and railways on the bridge had resumed traffic, and the Russian Ministry of Defense also said that the supply of Russian troops deployed in southern Ukraine was being carried out by land and sea. It seems that there is also an aim to show that the impact is limited.
On the Russian side, one of Putin's closest aides asserted at a meeting in Crimea earlier this month that "the threat of sabotage and terrorism is increasing," and has heightened its vigilance. becomes the focus.
In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the 8th that Mr. Slovikhin, a former army officer, was newly appointed as commander-in-chief of the military invasion. seen as an idea.
Ukraine military expert: 'It was an attack, not an accident'
Regarding the explosion on the Crimea Bridge, Ukrainian military expert Oleksandr Musienko said in an online interview with NHK on the 8th that it was an intentional attack, not an accident.
He then said, ``We will know in a few weeks that it was the Ukrainian side,'' and acknowledged that the explosion was likely an attack by the Ukrainian side.
Furthermore, Mr. Musienko said, "The bridge is the main supply route from Russia to the Crimean peninsula, so the implications are extremely significant. In the future, the movements of the Russian side will be dull." I am analyzing.
Citizen: "Good news for Ukraine"
In Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, voices were heard that the war situation might be favorable.
Of these, a 26-year-old man who works for a logistics company said, ``I think all of us Ukrainians have been waiting for this moment.This is a big step to win Russia.''
A 66-year-old woman said, ``A lot of weapons have been supplied to the Russian army in Crimea using this bridge. rice field.
In addition, a 24-year-old woman said, ``When I first heard this news, I even felt joy.There is no need to be afraid of Russia, we have to win back the land that was taken from Russia.'' rice field.