Explosion Damages Chongar Bridge: Tensions Escalate in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

An explosion damaged the Chongar bridge, one of the few links between Crimea and Ukraine's mainland, on June 22. Russian forces in the annexed peninsula rely on the bridge to access Kherson province in southern Ukraine, a focal point of ongoing attacks as Ukrainian troops attempt to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. Vladimir Konstantinov, chairman of the Crimean parliament, reported that the damage was not severe and the bridge should be repaired within several days.

Vladimir Saldo, the Russia-appointed head of the occupied parts of Kherson province, suggested that the explosion was caused by a long-range cruise missile of French or UK origin, though this could not be verified. Analysis of recent Ukrainian actions in the south and east has led military analysts to conclude that Kyiv is in the early stages of a counteroffensive.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned of potential strikes against the decision-making centers in Ukraine if US-made HIMARS and UK-provided Storm Shadow missiles were used to attack Russian territory, including Crimea. However, he later downplayed the impact of these advanced weapons. The Kerch Bridge, the longest bridge in Europe, stands over the strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Putin visited the bridge in 2018 to mark its opening and again in December when repairs were completed. He made another trip to Crimea on the day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him, accusing him of war crimes. Overall, the damage to the Chongar bridge appears to be minor and should be fixed within several days. Political tensions remain high between Russia and Ukraine, particularly as Kyiv's troops continue their counteroffensive against Russian-occupied territory.