In the early hours of Monday, Ukraine executed a fresh assault aimed at the strategically significant Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to the occupied Crimean peninsula.
Employing two armed maritime drones, the Ukrainian navy and SBU security service executed the attack, tragically resulting in the death of a Russian couple in their vehicle, leaving their daughter injured.
As a consequence of this brazen act, the crucial road link on the bridge is anticipated to remain closed until November, causing considerable chaos for numerous Russians currently vacationing in the peninsula. Due to the suspension of commercial flights to Crimea since the Russian invasion in February 2022, most tourists typically travel by road via the bridge.
Monday saw extensive traffic jams as returning visitors attempted to navigate their way through Russian-controlled southern Ukraine, an area fiercely contested by Kyiv.
In response to the attack, Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of Ukraine’s Kherson region, pledged to enhance air defense and other security measures along the overland corridor to Crimea. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these measures in reassuring tourists, whom the state has been eager to attract to the Black Sea peninsula, remains uncertain since Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Amidst visa bans and flight restrictions limiting Russians’ options for holiday destinations, this strike strikes a blow to Moscow’s efforts to promote Crimea as a safe haven, known for its rugged landscape, scenic bays, and pleasant weather.
It is worth noting that the Kerch Bridge had already experienced partial destruction in a Ukrainian truck bomb attack back in October 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russia will retaliate for this latest assault, with the defense ministry preparing appropriate proposals to enhance the security of this critical transport facility.
