by DW News Staff at DW
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, and its director, Kyrylo Budanov, was behind Saturday’s explosion on the Kerch Bridge.
The FSB said on Wednesday it had detained five Russians and three citizens of Ukraine and Armenia over the blast that caused massive damage to the Kerch Bridge that links Russia to Crimea.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister spokesman Andriy Yusov dismissed the allegations as “nonsense.”
Dramatic footage of the explosion showed a truck exploding as it crossed the bridge. The bridge partially collapsed, but one section for cars remains intact. The bridge is a strategic supply and logistics artery for Russian forces in Ukraine’s occupied Kherson region.
DW correspondent Killian Bayer said the Russian investigation determined 22,000 kilograms (48,000 lbs.) of explosive was transported to the site of the explosion via Bulgaria, Armenia and Georgia among plastic wrapped wooden pallets.
“We should be careful with this information, as it seems they have conducted their investigation very quickly,” Bayer added.
Ukraine has not officially confirmed its involvement in the blast, but some Ukrainian officials have celebrated the damage…