A steady stream of vehicles continues to form at the checkpoints near the Crimean Bridge, with observers noting that long lines have become a routine part of the day. An operational telegraph channel that monitors the status of automatic approaches to the bridge has reported the current situation, offering a snapshot of how traffic is moving and where bottlenecks are most pronounced.
Specific queues have been described near the inspection point serving traffic from Taman. According to the channel, more than 580 cars are queued, and drivers are facing an estimated wait of around two hours before they can pass through the checkpoint. In parallel, the inspection point serving traffic from Kerch has a larger backlog, with about 900 vehicles waiting and an anticipated delay of roughly three hours. The figures provided reflect the situation as of 15:00 local time on that day.
Beyond the daily traffic dynamics, broader statements from official channels have shaped the public narrative regarding security in the region. On August 12, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported a Ukrainian missile attack against the Crimean Bridge. In response to the incident, Sergei Aksyonov, the head of Crimea, indicated he was present in the Kerch Strait area at the time and stated that two missiles were fired. Following this, Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the regional leadership, urged residents to refrain from sharing air defense activities publicly, emphasizing the importance of civilian safety and operational security.
Later updates from the Ministry of Defense asserted that Ukraine had attempted to strike the Crimean Bridge with a converted S-200 surface-to-air missile. These claims were part of a broader set of statements about hostilities in the Black Sea region and the ongoing security situation surrounding critical infrastructure.
Earlier communications from the Federation Council also addressed the events, characterizing the Ukrainian assault as taking place “from a position of power” and highlighting ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of key transportation links in the area. These official statements collectively reflect a ongoing debate about the balance between civilian access to the bridge and the security measures in place to safeguard it during periods of heightened tension.
In summary, the day’s developments show two distinct threads: the practical realities of long queues at the bridge checkpoints for both Taman and Kerch directions, and the continuing official assessments of attempted attacks and the resulting security posture. The public record remains focused on updating travelers about expected wait times while also conveying the authorities’ concerns about potential threats and defensive actions in the region. Citations: information channel on bridge approaches, Ministry of Defense briefings, and regional government statements at the time of reporting.