Putin calls Crimea blast ‘terrorism’ as concerns about nuclear escalation grow

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that the explosion that damaged the Kerch Strait bridge, the span connecting Russia to Russian-occupied Crimea, was an “act of terrorism” committed by Ukrainian officials.

“No doubt. This is an act of terrorism aimed at destroying critical civilian infrastructure,” Putin said in a video address, according to Reuters. “This was conceived, carried out and ordered by the Ukrainian special services.”

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Ukrainian officials scoffed and celebrated the explosion.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry made comments similar to Putin’s on Saturday, with its spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying “the reaction to the destruction of civilian infrastructure is a testament to his [Ukraine’s] terrorist character.

Above, Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on September 30 in Moscow. Putin said on Sunday that the explosion that damaged the Kerch Strait bridge, the section connecting Russia to Russian-occupied Crimea, was an “act of terrorism” committed by Ukrainian officials.
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Putin’s statement on Sunday comes as Western officials have in recent days raised concerns about the nuclear threat posed by Moscow. In a speech on Thursday, President Joe Biden said Putin “isn’t kidding” about recent threats to use tactical nuclear weapons and warned that such a decision could result in “Armageddon.”

“He’s not kidding when he talks about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological and chemical weapons, because his military, you could say, is significantly underperforming,” Biden said. “I don’t think there is such a thing as the ability to easily use tactical nuclear weapons and not end up with Armageddon.”

Biden added that Putin’s rhetoric had put the world at the greatest risk of nuclear destruction since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, a tense period that nearly resulted in war between the United States and the Soviet Union after it was discovered that the Soviets had secretly deployed nuclear weapons. weapons to the island nation.

In response to the Russian leader’s comments, retired US Army General Mark Hertling said on Twitter: “The military or a representative from The Hague would say this is actually a well-planned and precisely executed conventional attack on targets.” valid and defenseless strategic military. Vlad may not recognize them.”

Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, quoted a tweet from Saturday del autor Stephen King.

“I can quote @StephenKing in response to this: “After nine months of killing and in many cases torturing civilians; after razing entire villages; The Russians call ‘terrorism’ blowing up a bridge…” he wrote.

Following the explosion on the Kerch Strait bridge, Gerashchenko said news week on Saturday that the risk “is high” that Putin will step up his attack on the Eastern European country. He called on the West to provide Ukraine with more weapons to fight the Russians.

“The possibility of an escalation by Putin is high. We ask that they give us more weapons. We are not asking you to fight for us,” he said. “Your governments should not wait for him and keep all weapons, ammunition and vehicles in warehouses. Send everything to Ukraine so we can end the war.”

news week has contacted the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministries for comment.

Meanwhile, Julia Davis, a columnist for The Daily Beast and creator of the Russian Media Monitor, posted video footage of Russian state television pundits discussing the attack on Sunday. Andrey Kartapalov, head of the State Duma Defense Committee, said the bridge “is not just a military object” but a “symbol of Russian pride.”

“They are hitting symbols,” he said before referring to the Moscow, a Russian warship that Ukrainian officials said they sunk with a missile in April. However, Russia did not officially claim that the ship was attacked by Ukrainians, saying instead that the ship sank after a fire on board blew up ammunition.

“Meanwhile, on Russian state television, they are drawing parallels between the Crimean bridge, the Moskva warship and Putin, as the main symbols of Russia. They must have forgotten their own lies about Moskva. People are urged to rally around Putin and march into battle. when called,” Davis tweeted.