Credit:The occupation governor in the Kherson region Vladimir Saldo, via Reuters

Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a “barbaric bombardment” overnight on a bridge that connects the Kherson region in southern Ukraine to Crimea. The attack, which damaged the surface of the bridge near the village of Chonhar (known as Chongar in Russian), was reported by Vladimir Saldo, the head of the Russian-occupied Kherson region, on social media.

This latest incident comes amid a period of rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. From years ago, the two countries have been locked in a conflict in Crimea, and the situation has only gotten worse in recent months with both sides engaging in military posturing. Yesterday, Ukraine accused Russia of amassing military forces on its border, warning of a “a real threat of a full-scale Russian invasion.”

In response to the bridge bombing, Sergei Aksenov, the head of the Russian-appointed Crimean government, said explosives experts were sent to the scene to assess the type of ammunition used. Saldo speculated that “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles gifted to Ukraine by the UK may have been used, although he did not provide evidence for the claim.

The loss of the bridge near Chonhar creates an obstacle for drivers who use the land transport corridor between Crimea and the Kherson region. However, Oleg Kryuchkov, an advisor to Aksenov, said that the disruption should not be significant, as there are two other automobile border crossings between the two regions which can still be used.

The Ukrainian government has yet to comment on the incident, but it is likely that international organizations and the UN Security Council will be called in to investigate. If the accusations of Ukrainian responsibility are proven true, the incident could further strain the already tense relations between the two countries.