MOSCOW, May 3 — Russia warned today it would launch a “devastating revenge strike” if Ukraine, backed by the West, strikes Crimea or the Crimean Bridge which links southern Russia to the Black Sea peninsula and has been targeted by Kyiv twice before.
Moscow said it believed that Ukraine, which has recently taken delivery of long-range ATACM guided missile systems from the United States, was plotting to attack the bridge ahead of or on May 9, the day when Russia marks the Soviet Union’s World War Two victory over Nazi Germany.
Russia seized and annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Kyiv has repeatedly said it deems as illegal the construction of the road and rail bridge, which has been used in the past to move troops and weaponry. Ukraine says it wants Crimea back.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, listed statements and social media posts by officials from Ukraine and European Union member states that she said suggested the bridge was in Kyiv’s sights.
Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya on May 1 posted on X what he called a “2024 list of 6 Main Types of Bridges” with a set of images.
The final image, labelled “Kerch”, the name of the Crimean town at one end of the Crimean Bridge, was left blank, perhaps suggesting it would be destroyed.
Some East European diplomats and officials have posted similar content.
“The Crimean Bridge is once again in the crosshairs,” Zakharova told a news briefing.
“Preparations for an attack on it, which is hard to believe, are now being carried out openly, with ostentatious bravado and with the absolute direct and shameless support of the collective West.
“I would like to warn Washington and Brussels that any aggressive actions against Crimea are not only doomed to fail, but will also be met with a devastating revenge strike,” she said.
Zakharova noted that British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said yesterday that Ukraine had the right to use weapons supplied by Britain to hit targets inside Russia, something she said was proof the West was waging a hybrid war against Moscow.
Crimea was part of the Russian Empire and later of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1783 till 1954 when Moscow gifted it to what was then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, when both were part of the Soviet Union.
Moscow now says that decision was a mistake.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which has been repeatedly attacked by Ukraine, is based in Crimea. — Reuters
“Russia warned today it would launch a “devastating revenge strike” if Ukraine, backed by the West, strikes Crimea or the Crimean Bridge which links southern Russia to the Black Sea peninsula and has been targeted by Kyiv twice before.”
Seeing that Ukraine have attacked the bridge twice, destroyed countless aircraft on Crimea, forced the BSF to go and hide in another country, plus killed countless military officers, including Gerasimov. I think Ukraine can take it for what it is, more grandstanding from the terrorists.
It’s a war and Putin started it. Now he whines about Ukraine hitting back.
“Crimea was part of the Russian Empire and later of the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1783 till 1954…”
Looks like someone has been listening to Kremprop…
What a yawn factor.
Another red line that is really a green one.
Putin is a fool
first and foremost its not Putin decision to make Ukraine part of Russia its up to the people if the major majority doesn’t want to be part of Russia then its up to the people. Second Ukraine broke up from Russia again the decision of the people they left Russia only to have Russia promise not to attack them and to let them live the way they want for Russia to keep their promises Ukraine gave Russia all their Nukes to solidly the deal. Now look what Russia is doing to Ukraine they destroy that country. The way I see it Russia government (Putin) is a sadistic controlling human that only sees it his way only. Im sure the people in Russia don’t want to see their people die for really no apparent reason only for Putins appetite of power. I can imagine how hard it is to revolt in the situation they are in but the must in order to save many people of possible of annihilation. the Russian Population must rise up to rid of this culprit.