An attack on the Crimea Bridge, a crucial supply route for Russia's military operations in Ukraine, caused its closure and resulted in two fatalities and one injury on Monday. While the Crimean governor confirmed the bridge's closure, the cause was initially undisclosed. However, Vladimir Konstantinov, Crimea’s parliamentary speaker, attributed the incident to Ukraine, labeling it a deliberate act of terrorism.

Russian authorities in the Krasnodar region, adjacent to the bridge, reported the two deaths, identifying the victims as parents whose daughter sustained injuries. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov expressed condolences, highlighting the tragic loss.

Local news sources indicated that explosions were heard near the bridge before dawn, although the full extent of the damage remained unclear initially. Crimea 24, an online news outlet, reported a section of the bridge was damaged but hadn't collapsed into the water. Traffic resumed approximately six hours later.

This incident follows a previous attack in October involving a truck bomb that significantly damaged the bridge, necessitating extensive repairs. The bridge, which accommodates both road and rail traffic, serves as a vital link for civilian and military transport between Russia and Crimea, a peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.

Ukrainian officials have pointed fingers at Russia for the attack. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, emphasized Crimea's strategic importance as a logistical hub for Russian forces in Ukraine, noting that disruptions to this infrastructure create further complications for the occupying forces.