Bridge to Crimea hit with explosions

 NY Times:

Explosion Damages Crimea Bridge, Imperiling Russian Supply Route

  • A fire erupted on the sole bridge linking the peninsula to Russia, and part of the 12-mile crossing collapsed into the sea.
  • Russian and Ukrainian officials both indicated that the fire was no accident, though there were no immediate claims of responsibility.

Crimea was part of Ukraine until it was seized by the Russians in 2014.  Russia's attempt to take Ukraine in recent years has led to Ukraine not only resisting the current Russian operations but also insisting that Crimea is Ukraine's territory.   There has also been an exit of Russian nationals from Crimea in recent months.

The war in Ukraine is also causing Russia to lose its grip on other areas.

A Distracted Russia Is Losing Its Grip on Its Old Soviet Sphere

Russia’s domination of Central Asia and the Caucasus region is unraveling as the Kremlin focuses on the war in Ukraine — and border violence is flaring.

Russia has become a much weaker power as a result of its war in Ukraine.  Its conventional military has taken a beating. 

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