Ukrainian Drone Attack Causes Ammunition Depot to ‘Blow Up’ in Moscow-Annexed Crimea: No Casualties Reported
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A Drone Attack in Crimea Causes Ammunition Depot to Explode
On Saturday, a drone attack in Crimea, which is currently annexed by Moscow, resulted in an explosion at an ammunition depot, according to Sergei Aksionov, the Moscow-appointed governor of the region. As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated everyone within a 5-kilometre radius and briefly suspended road traffic on the bridge connecting the peninsula with Russia. Fortunately, there were no casualties or material losses reported from the incident. State media footage showed a dense cloud of gray smoke at the site of the explosion.
Ukrainian Involvement and Background
Sergei Aksionov attributed the drone attack to Ukraine, although there has been no immediate comment from Kyiv. It is important to note that Russia seized Crimea and annexed it to Ukraine in 2014, preceding its subsequent invasion of the country. This incident adds to the tensions between the two nations.
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Impact on Crimean Bridge and Accusations
The drone attack also led to a temporary halt in traffic on the Crimean Bridge, which is located approximately 180 kilometers away from the site of the incident. This comes just five days after bombings on the bridge resulted in casualties and damage. The 19-kilometre road and rail bridge serves as a crucial logistical link for Russian forces and is heavily utilized by Russian tourists during the summer. Russia accuses Ukraine of carrying out the attacks on the bridge, which were welcomed by officials in Kiev without directly claiming responsibility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky justified the attacks, stating that the bridge is a military supply route for Russia.
Security Measures in Response
Russia remains on high alert for potential accidents or security threats on the bridge. The official Telegram channel of Russia is urging people not to panic if an alarm occurs. Additionally, Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to Aksionov, warned against posting pictures of critical infrastructure online in Crimea. He emphasized the importance of reporting individuals who share such content to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the FSB, as sharing videos of military facilities or vital infrastructure can work to the advantage of the enemy.
