Explosions Reported in Kerch Shipyard Area, Traffic Temporarily Halted on Crimean Bridge

On the morning of Friday, December 6, local media channels began reporting explosions in the city of Kerch, in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Russian authorities halted all traffic on the Crimean bridge.

"Traffic on the Crimean Bridge is temporarily suspended. We urge those on the bridge or in the inspection area to remain calm and follow the instructions of transport security personnel," stated the Russian Telegram channel Crimean Bridge around 4 am.

According to the channel, explosions have been heard near the Zalyv Shipbuilding yard in Kerch, and a glow is visible in the Arshyntseve area.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia claimed that one drone was allegedly shot down over Crimea. Additionally, Russian authorities stated that 2 Ukrainian unmanned boats heading toward the Crimean Peninsula were "destroyed."

Later, it was reported that the traffic was resumed at 9 am. No Ukrainian officials commented on the incident.

The Crimean Bridge was built to connect temporarily occupied Crimea with Russia across the Kerch Strait. Crimea, an autonomous republic in southern Ukraine on the Black Sea, was invaded and annexed by Russia in 2014—a move widely condemned by the international community.