Russian Air Defense Successfully Intercepts Cruise Missile Targeting Crimean Bridge
Russian soldiers have successfully intercepted a cruise missile that was flying towards the Crimean Bridge, a structure hailed as a symbol of President Vladimir Putin’s pride. This crucial bridge, located in Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula, was the same location where a potential disaster was averted in October last year.
According to reports from foreign media, including Reuters, Russian authorities confirmed that four missiles were shot down by their air defense systems. One missile was intercepted over Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, while the other three were successfully shot down over the Russian areas of Rostov and Bryansk, situated along the Ukrainian border.
Sergei Aksyonov, the appointed Prime Minister of Crimea, revealed that immediate action was taken to neutralize a cruise missile near the Russian-occupied city of Kerch. Thankfully, no injuries or damages were reported. Kerch is home to the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Strait Bridge, which facilitates the crucial connection between mainland Russia and the Crimean Peninsula. In response to the incident, traffic on both sides of the bridge was temporarily halted.
Despite the successful defense, the origin of the missile launch remains undisclosed. Pro-Russian Telegram channels claimed that the Ukrainian military might have been responsible for the attack. It is speculated that the missile fired was an S-200 cruise missile, designed to target critical infrastructure along a ballistic trajectory. Experts believe that if the Crimean Bridge was indeed the intended target, it could have escalated attacks on vital logistical facilities.
A video depicting the Russian air defenses intercepting the missile near the Crimean Bridge rapidly circulated on social media. The footage also revealed a long queue of vehicles waiting on the bridge, as traffic was halted temporarily in both directions.
The Crimean Bridge holds immense tactical and economic significance for Russia, as it is the sole link connecting the Russian mainland with the Crimean Peninsula. Constructed at an enormous cost, this bridge serves as a crucial supply route and is regarded as a symbol of Russia’s territorial sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula. Due to its strategic importance, the Crimean Bridge has frequently been targeted by hostile actions. In fact, in October last year, a bomb exploded on the bridge, causing a partial collapse.
Initially, Russia attributed the incident to a terrorist act orchestrated by Ukraine. However, it was only recently, approximately nine months later, that the Ukrainian army admitted its involvement. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister, Hannah Maliar, revealed in a Telegram post that the attack was aimed at disrupting Russian supply lines.
While the successful interception over the Russian territories of Rostov and Bryansk reflects Russia’s capability to counter potential threats, Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on these specific incidents. Rostov Governor, Vasily Golubev, announced on Telegram that Russian air defenses had shot down a Ukrainian missile in the Rostov region. Additionally, Bryansk Governor, Alexander Bogomaz, confirmed that Russian forces successfully intercepted two Ukrainian missiles, with one of them causing damage to a sawmill upon impact.
These recent developments highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance along crucial strategic points such as the Crimean Bridge.
Russian air defense intercepts a cruise missile flying towards the Crimean Bridge on the 9th. / Twitter
Russian soldiers managed to defend the Crimean Bridge, which is called ‘the pride of President Vladimir Putin’. He managed to intercept a cruise missile that flew near the city of Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula, where the Crimean Bridge is located. The nightmare of the collapse of the Crimean Bridge in October last year could almost repeat itself.
According to foreign media such as Reuters on the 9th (local time), Russian authorities said, “Russian air defense systems shot down four missiles.” One was shot down over Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, and three were shot down over the Russian regions of Rostov and Bryansk which border Ukraine.
Russian forces immediately shot down a cruise missile near the Russian-occupied Crimean city of Kerch, Russian-appointed Prime Minister of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov said on Telegram. No injuries or damage were reported. The city of Kerch is home to the Crimean Bridge (Kerch Strait Bridge), which connects mainland Russia and the Crimean Peninsula. At that time, traffic on both sides of the Crimea Bridge was temporarily banned.
However, it was not revealed where the missile was launched. Pro-Russian Telegram channels claimed that the Ukrainian military fired the missile, which is believed to have used an S-200 cruise missile designed to strike along a ballistic trajectory. It was interpreted that if it targeted the Crimean Bridge, it might have been intended to intensify attacks on important logistics facilities.
A video showing Russian air defenses in action and intercepting a missile for the Crimean Bridge quickly spread on social media. The video also shows vehicles on the Krim Bridge waiting in a long line with traffic stopped in both directions.
The scene at the time of the explosion on the Crimean Bridge in October last year. / Twitter
The Crimean Bridge, the only bridge connecting the Russian mainland and the Crimean Peninsula, is a key supply route built by Russia at a cost of trillions of won, and has a very high tactical and economic value for Russia. The Crimean Bridge has also been called the pride of Russia, a symbol of Russia’s territorial sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula. The Crimean Bridge has often been the target of air raids, and in October last year, a bomb exploded on the Crimean Bridge and part of the bridge collapsed.
At the time, Russia claimed it was a terrorist act by Ukraine, but the Ukrainian army actually admitted it was only recently, about nine months later. In a Telegram post, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Maliar said the attack was aimed at blocking Russian supply lines.
Meanwhile, Russian officials said they had successfully intercepted missiles over the Rostov region and in the Bryansk region of southern Russia, which borders Ukraine. “Russian air defenses shot down a Ukrainian missile in Rostov region, Russia,” Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram.
Bryansk Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram that Russian forces shot down two Ukrainian missiles. He said one of the missiles fell and destroyed the sawmill.
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