Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin announced that the damaged section of the Crimean bridge is expected to be opened to traffic within seven to ten days. This update was reported by DEA News and cited officials as confirming that the newly repaired segment has already been delivered and is in the final stages of preparation for service. At present, the road surface is being laid, illumination is being installed, and barriers are being erected to ensure safety and proper traffic guidance.
Khusnullin stated that the restored segment would be activated first, followed by the integration of the continuing portion of the bridge to restore a fully operational route for vehicles. This plan suggests a phased reintroduction of traffic to the repaired span while the remaining sections are completed and brought up to standard for regular use.
Earlier, Khusnullin had indicated that the overall cost of restoring the Crimean bridge could fall within a range of 1 to 1.3 billion rubles, underscoring the scale of the reconstruction work and the investment required to return the structure to full operation.
On the night of July 17, Sergei Aksyonov, the head of Crimea, reported that an emergency occurred in the area of the 145th support of the Krasnodar Territory near the Crimean bridge. Media from the scene showed one opening of the bridge collapse while another appeared to sink, prompting a rapid assessment of structural integrity and safety concerns for ongoing traffic and future repairs.
The Russian National Counter-Terrorism Committee attributed the incident to Ukrainian special services, contending that two Ukrainian surface drones carried out an attack on the bridge. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case under the article related to a terrorist act in connection with the event, initiating a formal legal process to determine responsibility and motive and to guide subsequent actions. This attribution aligns with official statements from Moscow and underscores the heightened security context surrounding critical infrastructure in the region.
Earlier reports mentioned the possibility that a Ukrainian individual connected to the incident had been identified or involved in the case. The evolving investigation continues to be a focal point for authorities and observers monitoring the broader situation around Crimea and related transport corridors. The bridge remains a strategic link, and authorities are balancing rapid restoration with rigorous safety evaluations to ensure that the rebuilt structure meets all necessary standards before resuming regular traffic. As reconstruction progresses, further updates are anticipated from official channels and investigative bodies, detailing timelines, procurement, and any security implications tied to the restoration work.