Moscow court gives life terms to eight over 2022 Crimea bridge explosion
Photo: The Crimean Bridge was attacked in October 2022 (Getty Images)
A Russian court has sentenced eight defendants to life imprisonment in the case of the October 2022 explosion on the Kerch Bridge. They were found guilty of terrorism, according to The Guardian.
According to media reports, a court in Rostov-on-Don found eight individuals guilty of the attack on the bridge that connects Russia with occupied Crimea and serves as a key logistics artery for supplying Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. All defendants were given life sentences.
According to the investigation, the explosion occurred in October 2022 after the detonation of a truck, which led to the collapse of two bridge spans and a fire on the railway section.
Five people were killed at the time. Moscow called the incident a terrorist attack and responded with massive strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) previously confirmed its involvement in the operation, stressing that the bridge is a legitimate military target during wartime.
According to Radio Liberty, the verdict was handed down to Artem and Heorhii Azatian, Roman Solomko, Volodymyr Zloba, Artur Terchanyan, Oleksandr Bylyn, Oleh Antypov, and Dmytro Tiazhelykh.
No public comments from the convicted individuals were provided.
Crimea Bridge explosion
As is known, on October 8, 2022, a truck was blown up on the Crimean Bridge. In addition to the explosion, a large fire broke out.
In July 2023, the Crimean Bridge was attacked again. Two spans were destroyed. According to SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk, the attack was carried out using Sea Baby drones.
In July 2024, the Commander of Ukraine’s Navy, Oleksii Neizhpapa, emphasized that liberating Crimea is impossible without destroying the Kerch Bridge.
According to him, despite the strikes on the bridge, it continues to be used as a logistics route for Russian occupation forces, although the volume of transport is now significantly lower than before.
In May 2025, Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk named the only reason why the bridge still stands.
