Kerch Bridge closed as occupation authorities report air defence response in Sevastopol

- 31 July, 02:20
Stock photo: Suspilne

Authorities in occupied Crimea have reported that air defence systems were active over Sevastopol and temporarily closed the Kerch Bridge on the night of 30-31 July.

Source: Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed puppet governor of Sevastopol, on social media; Crimean Bridge: Operational Information Telegram channel; Krymsky Veter (Crimean Wind) Telegram channel; and other local channels

Details: At 00:29 Kyiv time, the occupation authorities announced that the Kerch Bridge had been closed to traffic.

Social media users reported explosions across the occupied peninsula, including in Sevastopol.

Razvozhayev claimed that Russian air defence systems were responding to a drone attack.

Update: At around 03:00, the occupation authorities announced that traffic on the Kerch Bridge had resumed and that the all-clear had been given in Sevastopol.

At 03:45, the bridge was closed again before reopening at 04:24.

Background: Since the beginning of July, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces have struck 154 energy-related targets in occupied Crimea and other Russian-occupied territories, including 18 energy hubs between 25 and 27 July.

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