Ukrainian intelligence showed a presentation of 242 pages with the Crimean Bridge
The Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine announced the receipt of technical documentation of the Crimean Bridge and now has detailed information about the arrivals-exits, road surface, supports and the entire infrastructure of the complex. Earlier in Kiev, they repeatedly threatened to attack the bridge and called the structure "target number one". The Kremlin emphasizes that the security of Crimea is guaranteed by preventive and additional measures, "which are now being taken through our military."
The Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine claims to have received detailed technical documentation on the Crimean Bridge. "Detailed technical documentation of the Crimean Bridge has been received," the ministry said in a statement.
GUR also published an electronic presentation entitled "Construction of a transport crossing through the Kerch Strait", consisting of 242 pages. The materials, according to the assurances of the special service, contain "detailed information about the terrain, road surface, bridge supports, anti-landslide structures, arrivals and exits and the entire infrastructure of the complex."
"If the opportunity arises"
The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly talked about the possibility of an attack on the Crimean Bridge. At the end of April, the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, said that Kiev was considering the possibility of a strike on the Crimean Bridge, but "is not yet able to do it." If such an opportunity arises, they will definitely take advantage of it, he said.
The day before, Major General of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Dmitry Marchenko called the bridge the number one target for strikes by Ukrainian forces. According to him, the choice of an object for possible strikes is due to the fact that the bridge is "a way of pulling up reserves."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov retorted in response that all threats from Ukraine regarding the Crimean Bridge are "taken into account", but such plans will fail. "Well, you know, we still have a responsible army and all these threats are taken into account, there is no smoke without fire, and I am convinced that all these plans will fail completely," the diplomat said.
The press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov, in turn, stated that it was not the first time that the Ukrainian side threatened to blow up the Crimean Bridge.
"The security of Crimea is guaranteed by the preventive and additional measures that are now being taken by our military. As for the mention of our bridge by the Ukrainian military and politicians, this is not the first time. Of course, we know such threats and take them into account," he said.
Mikhail Sheremet, a State Duma deputy from Crimea, called the threat to destroy the Crimean Bridge suicide, since it is protected by modern air defense systems.
"Otherwise, lightning retaliation will follow for their attempts and plans. Decision-making centers will be destroyed, including in Kiev. We also warn Western countries about possible consequences if they decide to supply Ukraine with the requested weapons," the Russian parliamentarian said.
Kiev against the bridge
The Crimean Bridge connects the Kerch and Taman peninsulas via Tuzla Island and Tuzla Spit. In fact, these are two bridges - automobile and railway, running in parallel. The facility was put into operation in 2019.
Ukraine has included claims on the construction of the bridge in its lawsuit against Russia for violating the latest UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In addition, the Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine initiated a number of criminal cases on the facts of the construction of the bridge and the organization of railway transportation along it.
The opening of the bridge as "contributing to the further militarization of the Crimea" was also condemned by the UN General Assembly. The US and the EU have imposed sanctions against companies involved in construction.
Leonid Tsvetaev
