(Dan Tri) – Chonhar Bridge, Russia’s strategic supply route at the gateway to the Crimean peninsula, was damaged after being hit by a long-range missile believed to be from Ukraine.
The surface of the Chonhar bridge had a large hole after being hit by a missile (Photo: Reuters).
An anonymous official of the Russian Investigative Committee today, June 22, accused Ukraine of launching four missiles toward the Chonhar Bridge – the bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with Kherson province, southern Ukraine.
`According to initial information, 4 missiles were aimed at the bridge. At the scene, authorities recovered missile fragments, one of which showed that the missile originated from France,` the official said.
Chonhar is considered a strategic bridge for Russia’s reinforcement operations from Crimea into southern Ukraine (Photo: Reuters).
Previously, Reuters quoted Vladimir Saldo, governor of the Kherson region appointed by Russia, as saying that Ukraine had launched a long-range Storm Shadow missile attack on the Chonhar bridge.
Shared photos show that the raid created large debris on the bridge.
Nikolai Lukashenko, a local official appointed by Russia, said it could take several weeks to fully restore the bridge.
Chonhar is a vital bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula with the part of Kherson (Southern Ukraine) controlled by Russia.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk said: `The Chonhar Bridge has strategic significance for Russia’s transport of troops, equipment and ammunition from Crimea to mainland Ukraine.`
He further explained: `Crimea is Russia’s strategic logistics center to support their forces in southern Ukraine. If the bridge is destroyed or damaged by Ukrainian firepower, it will become a fatal point for
Ukraine did not deny or confirm its role in the raid.
When asked about the incident, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andrii Yusov only said: `Our defense forces continue their work and the people are waiting to regain the territory that belongs to Ukraine.`
The Crimean peninsula is located between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea and is connected to the mainland of Ukraine by the Perekop Isthmus.
Not long after launching a military war in February 2022, Russia controlled strips of land in southeastern Ukraine to create a land corridor from Donbass to Crimea.