'Improve Security Of Strategic Facility': Putin Decries Attack On Crimean Bridge As Russia Blames Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack on Kerch Bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea to Russia a "terror attack" as Moscow blamed Ukraine for the insident.

'Terror Attack': Putin Stresses Tougher Security Measures After Attack On Crimean Bridge

Source : AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday decried a "terror attack", stressing tougher security measures after Kyiv targeted a bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea to Russia. Two people were killed and their daughter injured in an attack on the Kerch Bridge. Russian officials accused Ukraine of being involved in what they termed a "terrorist" attack on the bridge. Russia’s national anti-terrorist committee said that the attack was carried out by two maritime drones packed with explosives sent by Ukraine, however, Kyiv has not taken responsibility for the incident.

"Another terrorist attack was committed on the bridge last night," Putin said in televised remarks, as quoted by news agency AFP. "I am waiting for specific proposals to improve the security of this strategic, important transport facility," he remarked.

A video taken from the adjacent railway bridge showed a section of the road bridge sheared off and sloping towards the Black Sea.

The bridge, a much-hated symbol of Russia’s occupation of Crimea, was opened in 2018 to enable travel between Russia and Crimea -- Ukrainian territory annexed by Moscow in 2014. The bridge was closed last year after a major explosion. 

According to The Guardian's report, Russia’s transport ministry stated that the road had been damaged but not the pillars, downplaying the possibility of extensive repairs. Rail service on the parallel bridge was resumed. 

The couple who was killed was in a passenger car with their daughter. The girl was being treated in intensive care, news agency Reuters reported.

"The girl was injured," Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, said in a message on the Telegram messaging app. "The hardest thing is that her parents died, dad and mum. No words can calm the pain of loss here," he said, as per Reuters.

A spokesperson from Ukraine's security service (SBU) has told AFP that they were monitoring the aftermath of the attack. In a written comment to the AFP, Artem Dekhtiarenko said, "We are watching with interest as one of the symbols of Putin's regime once again failed to withstand the military load".