Putin orders more security for Crimean bridge

Crimea

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered more security for the bridge from Russia to Crimea, as well as the infrastructure that supplies the peninsula with electricity and natural gas.

In a decree issued hours after the bridge was damaged by an explosion, Putin said the FSB security service would be responsible for strengthening defense measures.

Russia has said the explosion was caused by a truck bomb in a “terrorist action” from Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly threatened to strike the Kerch bridge and some have praised the attack, but Kiev has not claimed responsibility.

The bridge stretches 19 kilometers and is a key supply route for Moscow as they continue their offensive in Ukraine. The bridge was built by Russia after it annexed Crimea in 2014.