Russia gets new war general as blast damages bridge to Crimea

3 Killed; Bridge Key Link To Carry Equipment To Russian Soldiers

A powerful explosion damaged Russia’s road-and-rail bridge to Crimea on Saturday, hitting a prestige symbol of Moscow’s annexation of the peninsula and the key supply route to Russian forces battling to hold territory captured in southern Ukraine. On the same day, after Moscow suffered a series of setbacks on the battlefield that triggered unprecedented criticism of its army at home, Moscow appointed a new general to lead its Ukraine offensive.

The blast on the bridge over the Kerch Strait, for which Russia did not immediately assign blame, prompted gleeful messages from Ukrainian officials.

Russian officials said three people had been killed, probably the occupants of a car travelling near a truck that blew up. Dramatic social media footage showed the bridge on fire with parts plunging into the water.