 |
| Ukraine Threatens to Destroy Europe's Longest Bridge With Missiles US-Delivered |
This threat was made by the defense commander of Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Major General Dmitry Marchenko to Crimea Realities (Krym.Realii), the media project for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty a broadcaster funded by the United States government.
Read Also: Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Claims To Take Komyshuvakha City From Ukrainian Troops
General Marchenko said the Kerch Bridge, also known as the Crimea Bridge, was the number one target for Western weapons. "The Kerch Bridge is absolutely our number one target," he said. “Yeah, it's 100%. It's not a secret either to their military or to our military. Not for their civilians, not for our civilians. That will be the number one target to beat."
The bridge was inaugurated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018, four years after Crimea split from Ukraine and joined Russia. “As Russia's main way of sending reservists, we just need to cut them off. Once the path was cut off, they would start to panic. And believe me, those who fly the Russian flag in Simferopol, will soon get the Ukrainian flag and start flying it," he said.
Marchenko's comments were part of an interview posted on Wednesday (15/6/2022), in which he announced a Ukrainian "retaliatory strike" that he said would win Kiev by the end of the summer provided enough weapons and ammunition arrive from the US and its NATO ally.
Read Also: US President Joe Biden Announces Worth $1 Billion Arms Aid to Ukraine
Earlier in the day, US President Joe Biden announced $1 billion worth of military aid, including anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets and more artillery.
While Washington has only sent four HIMARS rocket launchers which have yet to reach Ukraine other NATO allies have promised compatible equipment.
The Pentagon's chief policy officer on Tuesday revealed that the US would provide missiles with a range of 70 kilometers. "Ukraine gave Washington assurances that it would not use this system against targets on Russian soil," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier this month.\
Read Also: US to Announce Sending Additional Weapons Assistance to Ukraine, Including Harpoon Missiles