With some prominent Russians calling for fierce reprisals after an explosion crippled Russia’s sole bridge to Crimea, the Kremlin on Sunday launched a barrage of rockets at Ukrainian civilian areas, sending a deadly reminder that for all its battlefield losses, Moscow can still inflict mass misery.
Many had been bracing for a severe Russian response to Saturday’s attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge, which analysts described as a significant blow to Moscow, if more symbolic than practical. The blast damaged a span that holds personal importance for Russian President Vladimir Putin and is crucial for resupplying Russian forces as they defend against an intensifying Ukrainian counteroffensive along the southern front.
Although Russian officials made a show of reopening the bridge to some automobile and train traffic, the extent of the damage, as well as the timeline for Moscow to resume the transport of much-needed military equipment and ammunition, remains unclear. Even so, a senior Ukrainian military official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of a government prohibition on discussing the attack, graded the success of the attack as "excellent.”