On the evening of July 26, Ukrainian media and telegram channels reported attacks on the Antonovsky bridge across the Dnieper in the Kherson region. They posted videos that supposedly showed missiles hitting the bridge. The Russian-appointed administration of the Kherson region said the bridge was damaged but not destroyed as a result of Ukrainian strikes. RTVI tells what is known about the strikes on the bridge.
The first reports of missile attacks on the bridge appeared around 23:00 Moscow time. Kherson publics reported that the bridge could allegedly be destroyed. The explosions in Kherson were also reported by TASS with reference to its correspondent. The agency claimed that an air defense system was operating in the city.
Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-appointed administration of the Kherson region, confirmed that the structure had been shelled by Ukrainian forces, but noted that "the bridge is standing." On the morning of July 27, he said that the bridge was damaged, "the number of holes has increased" on it.
“Blows were struck on the bridge, on the canvas. The bridge is now closed to civilians. Supports, spans - everything is in place. Just on the canvas increased the number of holes. The strike on the bridge only affected the civilian population,” Stremousov said.
According to him, the shelling was carried out from American HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems , more than 10 missiles were fired at the bridge, some of which intercepted the air defense.
An Interfax correspondent reported that several dozen cars had accumulated near the bridge from the direction of Kherson, waiting to pass. Traffic police officers tell drivers that there will be no traffic on the bridge today.
Night strikes on the bridge were confirmed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. “The work of our artillery is so scrupulous and jewelry that it is more aimed at demoralizing the enemy troops. Because there were strikes on the Antonovsky bridge. But they were filigree,” said the head of the press service of the command “South” Natalia Gumenyuk, reports the publication “Strana.ua”.
Antonovsky bridge is the only crossing connecting Kherson with the other bank of the Dnieper, which is also occupied by Russian forces. On it, in particular, is the supply of Russian troops, which are located on the opposite bank.
The Ukrainian military began shelling the Antonovsky bridge on July 19. Then he got hurt. The Russian-appointed authorities of the Kherson region claimed that the engineering structure was fired from HIMARS installations. The next day the bridge was shelled again. Stremousov claimed that 12 missiles were fired at the bridge, 11 of which hit the target. After that, traffic on the Antonovsky bridge was closed.