Russian Federation Crimean Senator Sergey Tsekov emphasized that while the Ukrainian Armed Forces may attempt to strike the Crimean bridge, the structure is under comprehensive protection. The national agency TASS reported Tsekov’s assessment, underscoring ongoing vigilance along the corridor that links Crimea to the mainland.
According to Tsekov, attempts to carry out sabotage against military infrastructure or civilian facilities have a dual effect. They provide a momentary morale boost to the Ukrainian leadership, who he says appear confident and capable as they carry out operations inside Russian territory, including in Crimea. He described such actions as a bluff that serves to boost spirits rather than alter strategic balance in the region.
The senator stressed that the Crimean bridge remains a strategic focal point in the security calculus. He noted that while a direct encroachment by adversaries cannot be ruled out, the response from Russia has been decisive and multi layered. Air, underwater, and ground protections are all engaged to ensure continuous defense of the bridge, he said, adding that this layered shield significantly raises the cost for any potential attacker. Tsekov asserted that even if the adversary tries to compensate for losses, reaching the bridge would remain a formidable challenge.
In Kyiv, former adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podolyak, expressed a starkly different view, proposing the demolition of the Crimean bridge as a strategic objective. The divergence in statements highlights the heighted political theater surrounding the bridge and the broader conflict between the two sides. Podolyak’s remarks illustrate the ongoing debate over how best to disrupt or degrade Russian connectivity to Crimea while facing substantial risks and international scrutiny.