Ukraine recently launched an attack on a bridge connecting Crimea to Russia using 12 ATACMS missiles, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry. The strike occurred during the night of August 15 to 16, targeting the Crimean (Kerch) Bridge, according to the Kremlin-affiliated RIA Novosti.
Due to the attack, traffic on the bridge was halted between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., as shared by local Telegram channel Crimean Wind. The bridge was constructed by Russia between 2016 and 2018 following its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Ukraine has long viewed the bridge as a legitimate military target. Upon its completion, the Ukrainian foreign ministry condemned the structure as a “further illegal act by the Russian Federation” to solidify its occupation of Crimea.
AP
Ukraine Strikes in the Kursk Region
Additionally, Ukraine reportedly attacked another bridge in the Kursk region amidst its military offensive. Moscow suspects that the missiles used were supplied by the U.S. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated via Telegram that the Kursk region was targeted with Western-made rockets, likely American HIMARS.
This assault resulted in the complete destruction of a bridge over the Seim River in the Glushkovsky district, with reports indicating that volunteers assisting evacuated civilians were killed.
Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk shared a video on Telegram showcasing Ukrainian pilots executing “high-precision strikes against enemy strongholds,” capturing a bridge explosion that created a significant gap.
Ukraine’s incursion into Russian territory commenced on August 6, marking a historic moment as the first invasion Russia has experienced from a foreign force since World War II.
On Tuesday, General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, noted that Russia’s reaction has been “rather slow and scattered.” He pointed out that the Russian Ministry of Defense is in charge of operations within Ukraine but lacks authority over actions inside Russia.
In response to the escalating situation, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced the formation of a “coordination council” within the Ministry of Defense to enhance support for troop deployments in the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions, aimed at bolstering protection of the state border and local populations.