Crimean Bridge chaos: Miles of traffic jams reported near crossing
Photo: Kilometer-long traffic jams have formed in front of the Crimean Bridge (Getty Images)
On Wednesday, June 24, a Planet Labs satellite captured a traffic jam stretching more than 10 kilometers toward the Crimean Bridge, according to Radio Liberty’s Skhemy.
The traffic jams begin at the checkpoint before the bridge and end near the village of Ivanivka in the Kerch district.
They stretch for more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), which is approximately 1,500 cars.
Traffic across the bridge is regularly suspended due to missile alerts, air defense operations, or the threat of attacks by Ukrainian naval drones. Against the backdrop of a fuel crisis and power outages, Crimean residents are increasingly posting on social media about their intentions to leave the peninsula.
Satellite photo: Kilometer-long traffic jams have formed in front of the Crimean Bridge (Skhemy)
Satellite photo: Kilometer-long traffic jams have formed in front of the Crimean Bridge (Skhemy)
Satellite photo: Kilometer-long traffic jams have formed in front of the Crimean Bridge (Skhemy)
The Russian occupying authorities have also stepped up checks at checkpoints, which regularly paralyze both civilian and military logistics between the peninsula and Russia.
Strikes on Crimea
A series of explosions rocked occupied Crimea this weekend. Russian occupying authorities closed the Crimean Bridge to traffic, and residents near the Kerch seaport reported seeing a fire and thick smoke.
Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the Ukrainian military had struck targets on both sides of the Crimean Bridge. The targets are located approximately 300 km (186.4 miles) from the front line.
Later, satellite images appeared online showing the aftermath of successful strikes on Russian logistics and oil facilities in Crimea.
Russia is redeploying air defense systems to Moscow and the area around the Crimean Bridge—defense capabilities in other areas have been significantly weakened.
In addition, the series of earthquakes that recently occurred near Crimea is having a critical impact on the Crimean Bridge, which the Russian troops built in violation of construction codes. The underground tremors are having a cumulative effect that could ultimately destroy the structure.
