Ukraine announces plans to destroy Crimea bridge, US says it needs to teach Russia a 'lesson'

According to RIA Novosti, in an interview with Bild (Germany) on April 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev is preparing a plan for a new counterattack, including destroying the Crimea bridge.

"We really want this. We're not just talking about the Kerch bridge that everyone is talking about. We're talking about some military infrastructure. We're talking about bridges, airports," President Zelensky said.

President Zelensky clarified that the Armed Forces of Ukraine want to attack bridges, where Russian weapons are transported, and airports from which aircraft launch attacks on Ukraine.

Kiev has repeatedly attempted to attack the Crimean Bridge. In particular, on July 17, 2023, the Ukrainian military attacked the bridge with two naval drones. The explosion damaged part of the bridge's road, killing two people and injuring one. The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under the article of the "Terrorism Act". The Ukrainian intelligence service later admitted responsibility for the terrorist attack in a Telegram post.

Meanwhile, in the US, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Celeste Wallander said that Russian leaders need to be "taught a lesson" in the context of Crimea.

Specifically, at a hearing at the US House of Representatives Defense Committee, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz asked Wallander whether it was necessary to remove Crimea from the Russian Federation to "defeat Russia strategically" in the conflict in Ukraine.

Responding to a question from a lawmaker, Wallander said: "It is up to Ukraine to decide whether they need to achieve this or not." However, she added: "For me, implementing the international norm that borders cannot be changed by force is extremely important to teach President Vladimir Putin a lesson."

Answering the question "If Crimea is not withdrawn from Russia, will the US's goal not be achieved?", Wallander said: "Russia's failure to control territories through the use of force is a strategic success for Ukraine and the US".

In contrast to the above view, some other opinions of parliamentarians said that Crimea never seceded from Russia. And if that goal was set by the US or Ukraine, it would be "unachievable". "In fact, Crimea will not be returned to Ukraine", said one parliamentarian.

Also at the hearing, Wallander said that all the investment in Ukraine's future over the past two years will not pay off if the US does not agree to support in the next few months. According to her, agreeing on new US aid to Ukraine is "extremely important".