Oct 8, 2022 23:44
Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for the bombing of the bridge linking Crimea with Russia, on Saturday.
The Ukrainian presidency said the explosion, which damaged the bridge, was the result of internal work.
Kyiv considered that the explosion involved “Russian involvement.”
“It is appropriate to note that the truck that exploded, according to all indications, entered the bridge from the Russian side. So, answers should be sought in Russia (…) All this clearly indicates that Russian involvement.
However, Leonid Slutsky, head of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma (lower house), described the explosion, which damaged some parts of the bridge, as a “terrorist attack”.
Slutsky, who is also a leading expert on foreign policy, said the “consequences would be inevitable” if it was confirmed that Ukraine planned the attack.
The deputy stated that “the response must be harsh, and it will not necessarily be on the front.”
Slutsky explained that several gloating statements made by prominent Ukrainian lawmakers indicated that Kyiv organized the attack, following Ukrainian media reported that the Secret Service (SBU) was responsible for carrying out the operation.
“This might be an act of state terrorism, which, as we can see, is being celebrated by European capitals,” Slutsky added.
The head of the State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee said that Russia has experience in fighting terrorists, and such attacks should be prevented in the future.
Source: agencies