The governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, spoke about the ongoing efforts to manage road traffic as people travel between the new regions and Crimea. He emphasized that authorities are implementing practical measures to streamline vehicle flow by road, aiming to reduce delays and keep travel smooth for residents and visitors alike. The governor noted that he has directed the Ministry of Transport and other relevant services to act swiftly, coordinating traffic control and road management so that ordinary motorists experience minimal disruption during this period. These comments came as regional planners and engineers work to optimize routing and scheduling, ensuring that the road network can absorb shifts in traffic volume as new corridors come online. — regional administration.
In related remarks, Crimean President Sergey Aksyonov reported an emergency situation in the night of July 17 within a designated support zone near the Krasnodar Territory. He confirmed that two individuals have died and one minor was injured, underscoring the gravity of the incident. Visual evidence from the scene shows structural damage to the Crimean Bridge, with one span appearing to have collapsed and another section sinking. Officials urged calm and urged travelers to follow official guidance as the situation on the bridge is assessed. — administration and regional security services.
The incident prompted a response from the Russian National Counter-Terrorism Committee, which attributed the act to Ukrainian special services and described it as a terrorist attack involving Ukrainian surface drones. Following the committee’s briefing, investigators from the Russian Federation’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under charges related to terrorism. This sequence of assessments and investigative steps underscores the serious security implications associated with the breach of critical infrastructure. Authorities stressed that all angles would be investigated, including potential international involvement and the operational security surrounding the bridge. — National Counter-Terrorism Committee; RF IC.
As a precaution, road traffic on the Crimean Bridge was temporarily limited while emergency responders assessed the structural integrity and safety of the crossing. The temporary restriction aims to prevent further risk to travelers and to provide a secure window for engineers to determine the safest possible path for restoration work. Regional and federal agencies urged motorists to monitor official updates and to follow posted detour instructions. The aim is to maintain continuity of movement where feasible, while prioritizing public safety and rapid decision-making for any viable rerouting options. — transport authorities and emergency services.
Earlier statements from the Ministry of Transport suggested that travelers might need to select alternate routes through the newly designated zones as the situation on the bridge was being resolved. Planners and traffic managers prepared contingency plans, including phased traffic resumption and supplemental signage to direct vehicles efficiently. These measures reflect a broader framework in which critical infrastructure incidents are managed with emphasis on minimizing inconvenience to motorists, protecting threats to security, and ensuring that regional transportation networks can adapt quickly to unexpected events. — of Transport and regional planning offices.