Rocket fuel was used to blow up the Crimean Bridge in 2022 attack, Russia claims

Solid rocket fuel hidden in rolls of polyethylene film was used to blow up the Crimean Bridge in October 2022, Russian publication Kommersant claimed, citing the results of an investigation.

A mixed explosive substance based on solid rocket fuel, containing potassium or sodium perchlorates, as well as finely dispersed metals, was used as the main charge, the publication alleged.

This would give the explosion the power of around 10 tons of TNT.

A small device charged with plastic explosives was used as the detonator, which was triggered by GPS at a given point on the truck's route.

Solid rocket fuel and the detonator were packed in rolls of film, presumably on the territory of Ukraine, and then this cargo was sent to the Bulgarian city of Ruse on the Danube.

It was later transported to Poti, Georgian, then to Yerevan, Armenia, where part of the documents were forged, the Russians claim.

The cargo was finally brought through Georgia to Armavir, Russia, before being transported by an unaware driver to occupied Crimea.

Forged documents said the shipment was a delivery between Ulyanovsk enterprises in Armavir and Simferopol, the Russians claim.

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SBU attacks on the Crimean Bridge

Ukraine’s SBU Security Service attacked the Crimean Bridge for the first time on Oct. 8, 2022.

After a truck explosion, two half-sections of the road part of the bridge collapsed, and the railroad tracks were also damaged.

The Kremlin accused Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) head, Kyrylo Budanov, of organizing the operation in an Oct. 12 statement.

The HUR denied the allegations, dismissing them as "nonsense."

Russia claimed it had restored the bridge by May 5, 2023.

Ukraine was behind the explosion on the bridge, then-Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Malyar, confirmed on July 8, 2023.

The SBU attacked the Crimean Bridge again on July 7, 2023, using Sea Baby sea drones.

One span of the road part of the Crimean Bridge was damaged beyond repair, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin admitted.

After Ukraine's successful attacks, Russia reinforced the bridge with "special anti-sabotage boom barriers" that purportedly protect the structure from surface and underwater drones.

The Crimean Bridge will be destroyed by the end of the year, Ukrainian Navy, Commander Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neyizhpapa, promised In February 2024.   

Kyrylo Budanov subsequently hinted that Ukraine would continue to strike at Russian targets in temporarily occupied Crimea and advised people "against using the bridge."

Ukraine intends to destroy the Crimean Bridge once and for all in the first half of 2024, The Guardian reported.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine