According to Russian authorities, a Ukrainian drone attack on a munitions depot in Crimea has led to the evacuation of civilians and disrupted transportation by suspending rail traffic.
Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed administrator of occupied Crimea, stated without evidence that Ukraine was responsible for the attack.
Videos purporting to show the aftermath of the assault revealed a dark cloud of smoke rising into the air.
Sergei Aksyonov wrote on Telegram, “As a result of an enemy drone [attack] on the Krasnogvardeisky district, an explosion occurred at a munitions depot.”
“A decision was made to evacuate residents within five kilometers of the zone,” he said, adding, “In order to minimize risks, rail traffic on Crimean railways was also halted.”
Saturday morning also reportedly saw a brief suspension of vehicular traffic across the Kerch Bridge, which was quickly lifted. A subsequent update from the Moscow-installed administration stated that road traffic had again been halted indefinitely.
Mr. Aksyonov stated that Krasnogvardeysky district infrastructure facilities were the objective. “According to preliminary data, there were no damages or casualties,” he stated.
Just hours earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his intention to retake occupied Crimea.
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The purported location of the drone strike is more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the Kerch Bridge.
The bridge, commonly referred to as the Crimea Bridge, was inaugurated in 2018 and provides road and rail access between Russia and Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
The bridge has become a symbol of Russian occupation and also serves as a vital resupply route for Russian forces in southern Ukraine.
On Monday, an explosion on the bridge killed two people and damaged the road, but the parallel railroad line was not affected.
The Kremlin blamed Kiev for the attack on Monday, describing it as a “terrorist” act. President Putin of Russia threatened retaliation and accused Ukraine of launching a “senseless” and “cruel” attack.
The bridge was a legitimate target, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, because it served as a military supply route for Russia.
The bridge was partially closed in October 2022 due to a massive detonation. In February, it reopened in its entirety.
