A little before 10:00 PM eastern US time last night, reports say multiple explosions hit the Kerch Strait Bridge between Russia and Crimea. At least one section of the Bridge reportedly collapsed. Numerous civilians are injured and still in vehicles trapped on the bridge.
Developing story with rapid updates coming in. Check back
"At 03:04 and 03:20, two strikes were made on the Crimean bridge by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
One span collapsed, another came off the support, which accounted for at least one hit."
At 2125 EST, Republic of Crimea Head Aksyonov confirmed the bridge had been shut down and law enforcement agencies were on scene.
Although no fire was reported, he did announce that a partial bridge collapse had occurred around the 145th support beam.
By 2140 EST, local media reported that at least two had been killed in the collapse.
The Russian-Appointed Leader of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov has announced that the 145th Pillar on the Kerch Strait Bridge has Collapsed as a result of a “Terrorist Attack” causing a Total Halt in Car Traffic across the Bridge; he further stated that No Damage was caused to the Train Bridge and that Rail Traffic will begin again soon.
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin had reportedly requested an Urgent Meeting of the Russian Security Council.
Hours later, after sunrise, more images started becoming available.
Traffic approaching the bridge is totally jammed:
The railroad part of the bridge has reportedly resumed its services.
VIDEO OF AFTERMATH
The first video is coming in. It shows one portion of roadway damaged and hanging slumped:
BETTER PIC:
Initial Engineering assessment: There is both vertical and lateral displacement of both roadways of the bridge. This damage was apparently done by PLACED EXPLOSIVES; not missiles. Apparently explosive charges were PLACED in two separate locations designed to shear-off an entire span of roadway.
Better pic from train passing on the actual bridge:
Russia has told Western countries that it will have a "surprise" today at the UN Security Council regarding Ukraine.
VIDEO UPDATE 10:17 AM EDT --
Video of what appear to be TWO large and distinct explosions, taking place on the Kerch Strait Bridge, have been uploaded to the net. Below, you can see the two explosions that seriously dmaged the bridge last night:
MORE:
US and British military surveillance planes were heavily in the area of the Kerch Strait Bridge just BEFORE the blasts - Gee, advance knowledge much?
