Moscow is rushing to restore the Kerch Bridge, which connects Crimea with Russia, by July. Explosions over the weekend damaged President Vladimir Putin’s prized bridge.
The July 1, 2023 deadline has reportedly been set for Thursday, and construction will be managed by Nizhneangarsktransstroy LLC, Ukrainian news agency Pravda reported.
The Kerch Bridge, completed in 2018 and defended by Putin after Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, was severely damaged after an explosion destroyed part of the bridge on Saturday.
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Part of the 12-mile-long bridge fell into the Kerch Strait, temporarily halting traffic.
The explosion killed at least three people and destroyed several fuel tankers on a train transporting fuel from Russia to Crimea.
The Russian government has accused Ukrainian intelligence chiefs of being behind the attack, but no one has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
At least eight people were arrested in connection with the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed on Friday to continue accelerating Kyiv’s advance in the war as his troops continue to advance in the south.
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In an address to the nation to mark Defenders Day, President Zelensky said, “I know you are getting as close to victory as you can. We will do everything to speed it up.” .
“You are the most precious thing we have. Each one of us,” he said to those fighting in the war against Russia. There are millions of people who know exactly what they live for.”
Ukrainian forces made a major advance in the north last month, recapturing the Kharkiv region and pushing Putin’s forces across the Russian border into the depths of Donbass.
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Western defense officials on Friday assessed that pro-Russian groups had made tactical advances in the region for the first time since July, but Russia’s war effort continued with advances in Ukraine and an inability to adequately resupply its troops. He pointed out that it was damaged.
Ukrainian forces have also begun larger advances in the southern region of Kherson, and Russian officials fear the city of Kherson will become the latest front-line city as Kyiv seeks to advance into Crimea.