These reports come a day following the destruction of a bridge connecting Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Authorities said that at least 13 people died in Zaporizhzhia from a Russian missile strike on Sunday. It was the latest attack against the city of southern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the bombardment as “absolute evil”.
The reports come a day following the destruction of a bridge connecting Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead a meeting in his Security Council on Monday, following the bridge attack. This was disclosed by the Kremlin to Russian media.
Ukrainian officials stated that 13 people died and 49 were being treated in hospitals after Russian missiles hit Zaporizhzhia.
Seven Russian missiles that struck the city’s centre earlier in the week claimed the lives of at least 17 people.
Oleksandr starukh, a regional official posted images of badly damaged apartment blocks on Telegram. He stated that he had launched a rescue operation to find the victims hidden under the rubble.
Zelensky called the “merciless attacks on peaceful people and residential buildings” an “absolute sin” committed by “savages or terrorists”.
On Sunday, divers were to inspect waters under the Crimea Bridge. It was just a day since a truck bomb set off a massive fire along the rail and road, killing three people.
“We have authorized divers to conduct the examination. They will begin work at six in morning,” Marat Khausnullin, Russian deputy prime minister, stated.
He said that “first results” from Russia’s inspection on the bridge were due by Sunday.
Russia said Saturday that traffic had been restored over the strategic link. This symbol is a result of Russia’s 2014 annexe of Crimea.
Saturday’s attack on the bridge, which spans 19 kilometres (12 miles), sparked celebrations among Ukrainians and others through social media. Dramatic footage captured the bridge burning and a section of road falling into the water.
Zelensky, however, did not mention it in his evening address. Officials made no claim to responsibility.
Moscow claimed that the explosion caused the bodies of an unidentified male and female to be pulled from the water. These were likely passengers in a vehicle near the truck.
Authorities have identified the truck’s owner as a resident from Russia’s southern Krasnodar and are currently searching for his home.
‘Emergency situation’
Moscow relies on the bridge for logistical support. It is vital for transporting military equipment to its soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
It is also very symbolic. The structure was inaugurated by President Vladimir Putin in 2018. He drove a truck across the bridge. Moscow also maintained the link as safe, despite all the fighting.
While Moscow may have hinted at Ukrainian “terrorism”, Russian state media referred to the situation as an “emergency”.
Mykhailo Podolyak was Zelensky’s advisor and posted a Twitter picture of a long section that was partially submerged. He wrote: “Crimea. The bridge, the beginning.”
However, he later stated that he believed Moscow was responsible for the blast and noted that the truck which detonated “entered into the bridge from Russia”.
A Kremlin spokesperson stated that Putin had instructed the creation of a commission to investigate the blast.
Moscow officials didn’t blame Kyiv. However, a Russian-installed official was in Crimea and pointed the finger at “Ukrainian Vandals”.
Oleg Morozov (Russian ruling party deputy) stated to the RIA Novosti news Agency that “there is an undisguised terror war against us.”
Military analysts stated that the blast could have a significant impact if Moscow realized the need for troops to be moved to Crimea from elsewhere or if residents were forced to evacuate.
Mick Ryan, a former Australian senior officer who is currently with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, stated that even if the Ukrainians weren’t behind the blast it was “a huge influence operation win for Ukraine”.
On Twitter, he stated that “It is an indication to Russians, as well the rest of the globe, that Russia’s military cannot protect any provinces it has recently annexed.”
Crimea’s authorities attempted to alleviate fears of fuel and food shortages. Since its annexation by Ukraine, Crimea has been dependent on Russia’s mainland.
Moscow has appointed a new general
This explosion occurred after lightning territorial gains by Ukraine to the east and southern that have undermined Donetsk’s official annexe of Lugansk, Lugansk, and the southern regions Zaporizhzhia or Kherson.
Moscow announced on Saturday that Sergei Surovkin, a new general who will take over Russia’s forces in Ukraine after several weeks of military setbacks which triggered unimaginable domestic criticism.
Surovikin led Russia’s military operations in the southern Ukraine. He has combat experiences from the 1990s conflict in Tajikistan and Chechnya as well as more recent in Syria.
