A Russian official said Thursday that Ukrainian rockets damaged a bridge that connects the Crimean peninsula, which Russia has taken over, to a part of southern Ukraine that Russia has also taken over.
The bridge links Crimea to the area of Ukraine called Kherson.
Vladimir Saldo, who was put in charge of Kherson by Russia, said that Ukrainian attacks had hit “bridges” near Chongar. He shared photos that he said showed big holes on the bridge’s surface.
“A strike hit the Chongar bridge in the middle of the night. Sergei Aksyonov, the governor of Crimea who was put in place by Russia, said on Telegram that there are no deaths.
He said that the attack was done on the “orders of London” with Storm Shadow rockets that came from Britain.
Notably, the bridge is also an important link to the occupied city of Melitopol, which is on the path from the Russian border through southern Ukraine to Crimea along the coast.
Russian troops took over the Crimean peninsula in 2014. They also took over the southern coast of Ukraine when they invaded in February of that year.
The attack comes as the Ukraine is in the middle of a counteroffensive to take back land that Russian forces have taken over.
Putin says Russia sees ‘lull’ in Ukrainian counteroffensive
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that they have only been able to take back eight towns so far in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia and the eastern city of Donetsk. This is slower than they had hoped.
“Some people think this is a Hollywood story and want things to change right away. It isn’t.”
“The lives of people are at stake.”
West extends aid for rebuilding Ukraine
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said that the US would give an extra $1.3 billion to Ukraine’s economy. This money would be used to spend in energy and infrastructure. It was one of many promises made by different countries.
Blinken told the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, “Recovery is about laying the groundwork for Ukraine to thrive as a safe, independent country that is fully integrated with Europe and connected to markets all over the world.”
“With the help of the US Congress, we will give Ukraine more aid worth more than $1.3 billion to help them reach their goal.”
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, announced $54.58 billion in aid for the years 2024–2027. Britain pledged a $3 billion package to unlock World Bank loans and help pay for important public services like schools and hospitals. Germany also announced $3 billion in military aid.
