Military says Crimean Bridge attack possible provocation.

The alleged attack against the bridge between occupied Crimea and Russia may be a Russian provocation connected to the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, said[1] Southern Operational Command spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk on July 17. "It is typical that with such a concentration of the naval forces in this area and the overall tension connected to the 'grain deal' extension, creating such a provocation, which is immediately and loudly reported on by the occupation authorities in Crimea, is a typical example of how the aggressor country solves problems," Humeniuk said on television. The Black Sea Grain Initiative allowing Ukraine to continue exporting its agricultural products is set to expire today on July 17.

Russia has not yet confirmed[2] the prolongation of the agreement. Spokesperson of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) Andrii Yusov told[3] Suspilne News that the military intelligence does not comment on the events at the bridge: "Maybe we can only quote the words of the HUR commander Kyrylo Budanov that the Crimean bridge is an unnecessary construction." Yusov also noted that Russia is likely to face logistical problems due to the explosions.

"The peninsula is used by the Russians as a major logistical hub for the movement of forces and equipment deep into the territory of Ukraine. Of course, any logistical problems are additional complications for the occupiers, which create potential interruptions for the Ukrainian defense forces," he commented. Earlier on July 17, Russian-installed officials[4] in Crimea reported that an "emergency event" had taken place in the area of the 145th pillar of the bridge from the Krasnodar region.

Local Russian officials asked residents to refrain from traveling over the bridge. Russian media channels reported that two strikes were heard on the bridge, one at 3:04 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. Governor of Russia's Belgorod Oblast Vyacheslav Gladkov later claimed that a man and a woman were killed and a child was injured in the explosions.

The Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify this information.

Ukraine war latest: US to formally allow European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16s

Key developments on July 16: * US to allow European countries to start F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots * Military reports advancing over 1 kilometer southeast * Russian forces strike Kharkiv, killing 1, injuring at least 3 * Explosions reported in occupied Sevastopol, Luhansk, Berdiansk, Mar...

References

1. ^ said (www.youtube.com)
2. ^ confirmed (kyivindependent.com)
3. ^ told (t.me)
4. ^ officials (kyivindependent.com)
5. ^ Ukraine war latest: US to formally allow European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16sKey developments on July 16: * US to allow European countries to start F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots * Military reports advancing over 1 kilometer southeast * Russian forces strike Kharkiv, killing 1, injuring at least 3 * Explosions reported in occupied Sevastopol, Luhansk, Berdiansk, Mar... (kyivindependent.com)