[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] A large explosion occurred on the Crimean Bridge (Kerch Strait Bridge), which connects the Crimean Peninsula, occupied by Russia in 2014, and the Russian mainland.
According to local media in Ukraine and Russia, the explosion happened around 6 a.m. on the 8th (local time, noon Korean time).
Russian TASS news agency reported, citing a Crimean Railway official, that a tank car carrying fuel attached to the rear of a freight train caught fire and firefighting efforts are underway. However, the structure allowing ships to pass under the bridge was reportedly undamaged, according to the agency.
Russian state-run Sputnik news agency conveyed the Russian authorities' explanation that navigation of ships in the Kerch Strait area is not affected.
TASS, citing an official from the Russian Federal Road Agency, reported that two-way vehicle traffic across the Crimean Bridge has been suspended. The Crimean Railway separated the locomotive and some of the freight cars attached behind from the burning tank car and evacuated them to Kerch Station.
After occupying the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Russia opened the 18-kilometer-long Crimean Bridge connecting the occupied territory to the Russian mainland in 2018. It is the longest bridge in Europe, and Russia is known to have spent trillions of won on its construction.
Regarding this, a Ukrainian government official stated, "The explosion on the Crimean Bridge is just the beginning," and described it as "destroying an illegal facility."
The Crimean Bridge is a key supply route connecting the Russian mainland and the Crimean Peninsula, holding significant tactical and economic value for Russia. Since Russia's invasion in February this year, Ukraine has repeatedly indicated its intention to destroy the Crimean Bridge. Russia warned in June this year that if the Crimean Bridge is attacked, it would bomb the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
