Explosions heard in Crimea, Russia denies attack on bridge

(Patria) - Residents of Crimea reported an explosion near the bridge connecting the peninsula to the Russian mainland early on Saturday.

However, a Russian-appointed official denied that the bridge had been attacked, Reuters reports.

"Once again, there was no direct attack on the Crimean Bridge, and there was no explosion in its immediate vicinity," claimed Oleg Kryuchkov, an advisor to the Russian-appointed governor of Crimea, as reported by Russian news agencies.

Traffic on the bridge was suspended in the early morning hours, marking the third such suspension in the last 24 hours.

"The loud noises heard by the residents of Kerch an hour ago had nothing to do with the Crimean Bridge. An attack threat was announced. After it is interrupted, traffic will resume," Kryuchkov wrote on Telegram, as reported by Tass.