Moscow has accused the U.S. and other allies of Ukraine of preparing strikes on Crimea, warning that in such a scenario, there would be “retaliation.”
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Friday that the Crimean bridge, which links Russia with the peninsula illegally annexed by Moscow since 2014, was “again under attack.”
Over the course of the war started by Vladimir Putin, there have been repeated strikes on the bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge. The structure for Kyiv symbolizes Russian occupation but is also a key link to transport Moscow’s troops and equipment to the frontline and a strike on it could impact its war effort.
As well as the bridge, Ukraine has also stepped up its attacks on Russian naval assets in the wider region with repeated strikes on vessels and infrastructure belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, much of which Moscow has relocated to Novorossiysk, in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
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Zakharova said preparations “are being carried out openly, with ostentatious bravado and with the absolute and direct support of the collective West.”
She referred to the reported delivery of U.S.-supplied ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) long range missiles last month, citing the Russian defense ministry’s claim that six of the missiles had been shot down over the peninsula last week.
U.S. officials said last month that Kyiv had started using ATACMS missiles for the first time on a Russian military airfield in Crimea, hitting Russian forces in another occupied area.
Washington had first delivered mid-range older models of ATACMS missiles last year with a shorter range of around 100 miles but the newer missiles have a range of up to 190 miles, potentially putting hundreds of Russian military facilities in Crimea within range.
In her briefing, Zakharova also noted reports that Kyiv was set to receive its first delivery of F-16 aircraft, “which, according to the British, can also be used in the operation to destroy the Crimean Bridge.”
“We would like to once again warn Washington, London and Brussels that any aggressive actions against Crimea are not only doomed to failure, but will also receive an indestructible blow of retaliation,” she said, without specifying further.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.
Following her comments, the Russian defense ministry said on Saturday its air defense forces shot down four ATACMS missiles over the Crimean Peninsula, claiming that they had successfully downed 15 of the missiles in recent weeks.
Russia often claims to have downed Ukrainian missiles and drones without reporting damage, although later reports can show how military targets or infrastructure have actually been struck.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.