Ukrainian military claim that Crimean Bridge operates in limited mode

OC South spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk said this during the telethon.

“The smoke cleared, but it didn't help it. Because of the smoke situation, they put it on ‘ventilation’. This makes it open and close at times and not work properly," Humeniuk explained. She added that the enemy used smoke to hide the bridge, trying to protect it.

She noted that some lanes for traffic are open, but with restrictions and only for small vehicles. The railway also works with limits, following special rules. Even though the bridge is strong, it can't fully support logistics, just like the other damaged bridges, Chonhar and Henichesk. These bridges can't meet all the enemy's logistics and supply needs.

Humeniuk mentioned that the enemy is increasing security around the Crimean Bridge to safeguard it from attacks.

“However, their response to a potential threat, which they don't fully understand in terms of tactics and technology, might vary. This is why they occasionally conduct training and smoke tests around the area," she added.

According to the military, the Russians are intentionally slowing down ships to use them as protection for their naval group. They estimate that about 50 ships could be waiting in the designated area. Here, they perform checks, looking for any military cargo on the ships.

Explosions on the Crimean Bridge

On Saturday afternoon, August 12, 2023, the leader of the Russian administration in Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said that the Defense Forces of Ukraine attempted missile strikes on the Crimean Bridge. He claimed that Russian air defense shot down two Ukrainian missiles in the area of the Kerch Strait.

Aksyonov stated that the Crimean Bridge was not harmed as per his information, and there were no reports of casualties.

On the other side, the Russian Ministry of Defense countered by saying there was just one missile, not two. They stated it was an "S-200 anti-aircraft guided missile converted into a strike version."

Before that, pictures showing four spots of smoke on and near the bridge emerged online. These images displayed two groups of black smoke and two groups of white smoke.

Oleg Kryuchkov, Aksyonov's "adviser" on information policy, explained the white smoke as a way to conceal. He mentioned that "special services put up a smoke screen."

Starting at 12:36 p.m., the occupants halted traffic on the Crimean Bridge. Russian coast guard boats headed there.

Around 3:00 p.m., eyewitnesses again talked about a smoke screen on the Crimean Bridge through social media. The Krym.Realii correspondent recorded at least 5 explosion sounds.

Soon after, Aksyonov and the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed for a second time that they had thwarted the Ukrainian missile attack. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, it was the S-200 missile again.

Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, stated that he is unaware of the circumstances and aftermath of the August 12 explosions in Crimea. Nevertheless, he believes that the Crimean Bridge could not have been blocked without reason.