[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] Local time on June 3, the website of the Ukrainian Security Service issued a statement, announcing that a special operation had been carried out on the Crimean Bridge, causing "serious damage" to the underwater support structure. As of now, the Russian side has not yet responded to the attack, but the Crimean Bridge suspended operations on the same afternoon for an unknown reason.

The statement from the Ukrainian Security Service said that this special operation lasted for several months, and Ukrainian agents installed explosive devices on the piers of the Crimean Bridge. At 4:44 am local time on the 3rd, the first explosion device was successfully detonated, with "1100 kilograms of TNT equivalent explosives taking effect, severely damaging the bottom position of the underwater support structure of the bridge."

The statement said that the head of the Ukrainian Security Service, Vasily Malyuk, supervised this operation and coordinated the combat planning.

Malyuk stated at the end of the declaration: "The Ukrainian Security Service can always put its ideas into practice. We previously attacked the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. Today, we continue our underwater attacks. There should be no illegal Russian facilities on our territory, so the Crimean Bridge is a legitimate target, especially considering that the enemy once used it as a logistics artery to supply their troops."

Explosion video footage released by the Ukrainian Security Service

The Kiev Independent reported that the Ukrainian military had attacked the Crimean Bridge twice, in October 2022 and July 2023, causing "significant damage," but neither attack had rendered the bridge non-functional.

As of now, the Russian side has not yet responded to the attack. However, RIA Novosti reported that on the morning of the 3rd, the Crimean Bridge was closed for three hours. At 15:23 local time on the 3rd, the Crimean Bridge suspended operations again, and traffic safety officials asked people on the bridge and in the inspection area to remain calm and follow instructions, but the specific reasons were unclear.

In addition, the Federal Security Service of Russia announced on the 3rd that a "Ukrainian agent manufacturing high-powered explosives" had been arrested in Crimea. The Federal Security Service of Russia accused the resident of Feodosia City in Crimea of "actively cooperating with the Ukrainian Security Service, manufacturing improvised explosives, and carrying out sabotage and terrorist activities on the peninsula," and criminal charges have been filed under the charge of treason.

Shortly before Ukraine claimed the third attack on the Crimean Bridge, Russia and Ukraine held their second round of direct talks in Istanbul, Turkey on the 2nd. Both sides exchanged memoranda during the negotiations and stated their conditions for a ceasefire.

According to the memorandum from the Russian side, Russia requested that the international community recognize the former Ukrainian territories currently controlled by Russia as "part of Russia," and that the Ukrainian army must fully withdraw from these areas. Reuters reported that Ukraine rejected several core conditions proposed by Russia for the ceasefire, including recognizing Russia's annexation of part of Ukrainian territory, committing to neutrality, and limiting the size of armed forces.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511703975973110272/

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