Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed on Wednesday morning that the attack on the strategically vital Kerch Strait bridge had been planned by Ukrainian military intelligence for months.
The Kremlin’s main security agency said it was organized by Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate and that five Russians had been detained. Three citizens of Ukraine and Armenia have also been detained, but it is unclear how many of the three are Ukrainians and how many are Armenians.
The FSB also released photos of those it accused of being involved in organizing the Oct. 8 attack on the bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea.
“It has been established that the organizer of the terrorist attack on the Crimean bridge was the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, its head Kirill [Kyrylo] Budanov, employees and agents,” the FSB said.
The FSB claimed that the explosive device used in the attack was concealed in rolls of construction-grade polyethylene plastic sheeting/film and was shipped from the seaport of Odessa to the city of Ruse in Bulgaria in early August.
The Ukrainian authorities have not claimed responsibility for the incident.
Globe Live Media has contacted the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministries for comment.
This is a developing story and will be updated.