Putin threatens “response” after Crimea bridge attack

Russian propaganda RIA Novosti news agency reported the updates.

In a televised meeting with officials to assess the consequences of the attack, Putin said that the defense ministry is “preparing proposals for a response” to the attack.

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Marat Khusnullin, said there was no damage to pylons but that one section of road had been completely destroyed and would have to be rebuilt.

He said road traffic would resume in one direction by 15 September, with road traffic in both directions restored by 1 November. The parallel railway bridge was not damaged in the attack.

Earlier Russia’s Interfax news agency reported on the upcoming meeting.
The media said that Putin was going to hear a report by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin on the restoration of the bridge.

During the meeting, Putin will hear a report by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin on the restoration of the bridge. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that on Putin's instructions, Khusnullin flew to Crimea.

"Putin has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin to organize on-site repair and restoration work on the Crimean bridge. At the moment, on behalf of the head of state, Khusnullin is flying to the region," he said.

Peskov said that after familiarizing himself with the situation, Putin would wait until 7 p.m. for a report from the Russian Aerospace Forces .

"There will be a meeting with the Russian Aerospace Forces, during which Khusnullin will report on the situation from the field," the spokesman said.

Peskov noted that earlier Putin had already heard reports from Khusnullin, FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov, Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev, and Kremlin-installed leader of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov on the consequences of the bridge attack.

• In the morning of July 17, explosions were heard on the Crimean bridge, after that the occupation authorities declared an "emergency" and accused the Ukrainian military of the attack. Damage to the roadway was found on the spans, and 2 people were reported dead. Ukraine responded to this.

• Ukraine's Security Service said that all the details of the July 17 explosion on the Crimean bridge will be disclosed after Ukraine wins the war against Russia.