Crimea-Russia bridge bombings scare Putin

Foreign media reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been shocked by the explosion of a main bridge from Crimea to Russia. The only bridge from Crimea to Russia's Krasnodar province has been damaged by a bomb planted in a truck. Its length is 19 km and it is considered the longest bridge in Europe.

The truck exploded on top of the bridge yesterday morning (08th) Russian time and a part of the bridge collapsed. As a result of the explosion, seven fuel tanks of a train which was traveling on the parallel railway were caught on fire. Three people lost their lives in the blast. Russian authorities say that it is an act of terrorism and is believed to have been planned by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials say that this is only the beginning and that Russian power in the Crimean peninsula has collapsed.

Crimea is a region of Ukraine annexed by Russia in 2014. This bridge is important for Russia because a main route for the transportation of military equipment, weapons and other supplies needed by the Russian forces currently fighting in southern Ukraine has passed through this bridge.

In recent days, reports appeared that Russia is suffering some setbacks during the war in Ukraine. It was also said that the Russian soldiers had to retreat due to the Ukrainian attacks on some areas occupied by the Russian forces. Accordingly, Ukraine was able to take those areas back under its control.

In view of this situation, Russia's military leadership has begun to be criticized.

In compliance with those criticisms, Russia has taken steps to appoint a new commander for military operations in Ukraine. An officer named General Sergey Surovykin has been newly appointed for this position. It is said that the 55-year-old is an experienced military officer who has been involved in military operations in regions like Chechnya, Tajikistan, and Syria.