Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Friday that "the bridge linking the Crimean Peninsula to Russia brings war, not peace, and thus it is a military target." Explosions on the Crimean Bridge on Monday resulted in the deaths of two civilians and rendered part of the land bridge inoperable after it had recently returned to full operation following significant damage in a similar attack last October.
During a televised address at the Aspen Security Forum in the United States, Zelensky remarked that "the land bridge and railway built by Russia and put into service in 2018 were not merely logistical routes." He added, as relayed by a translator: "This is the road used to supply the war with ammunition, and this happens daily. It arms the Crimean Peninsula."
Zelensky continued: "For us, it is clear that this is an enemy facility built outside international law and all applicable rules. Therefore, it is understood that this is a target for us. A target that brings war, not peace, must be neutralized."
In response to a question, Zelensky denied any connection between the attack and Russia's withdrawal this week from a UN-supported grain export agreement from Ukrainian ports. He noted that "Russia has hindered the operation of the grain corridor from the beginning."
Zelensky mentioned that the long-anticipated counteroffensive by the Ukrainian army, which began last month, required time to prepare because Russian forces had established several defensive lines and extensively deployed mines in Ukrainian territory. He affirmed that "Ukraine will not retreat," stating that it is "gradually liberating its territories, which is extremely important."
