Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin increases security after Crimea bridge blast
Sunday, 9 October 2022 (11:34 IST)
Russian divers are expected Sunday to examine the damage caused by a series of explosions on the Kerch Strait Bridge connecting Russia and Crimea.
Russia's deputy prime minister, Marat Khusnullin, was quoted in Russian media stating divers would start work at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT).
The blasts on Saturday prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign a decree authorizing greater security for the strategically important bridge.
The decree also tightened security around critical infrastructure such as the electric and natural gas supply lines to Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.
Putin also ordered that an investigative commission be established to probe the explosions. Russian authorities said three people died in the early morning blasts on the bridge.
A new video published online shows significant damage inflicted on the Crimean Bridge following reported explosions in the early morning of Oct. 8.
The illegally constructed bridge links the Russian-occupied Ukrainian peninsula Crimea with mainland Russia via the Kerch Strait. pic.twitter.com/63EvfqNf3G
Authorities believe a truck exploded and caused seven fuel tanker cars on a 59-car train headed towards Crimea on the lower level of the bridge to go up in flames.
It took about 10 hours for vehicle traffic on the bridge to be restored and for Russia's Transportation Ministry to give the go ahead to restart rail traffic.
