Russia charges Ukrainian intelligence chief in absentia over Crimean Bridge explosion

A Russian court has arrested Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, in absentia in the case of the "terrorist attack" on the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge.

The court plans to put him on the international wanted list, Russia's state-owned media TASS reports. 

The news agency reports that the Lefortovo Court of Moscow made the decision.

The FSB accuses Budanov of organizing a terrorist community, illegal arms trafficking, and terrorism

Russia's side clarifies that Budanov was arrested in absentia in the case of the "terrorist attack on the Kerch (Crimean) Bridge". The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation will initiate putting Budanov on the international wanted list.

In October 2022, Russia's FSB reported on an investigation into the explosion on the Crimean Bridge. As the investigators stated, Budanov, the Ukrainian intelligence chief, is responsible for orchestrating the explosion.

Later, Russia announced that a truck had been blown up on the highway of the bridge, causing railway cars with fuel to catch fire and partially collapse two spans of the highway part of the bridge. The Kremlin accused Ukraine of undermining.

On February 28, 2023, an American journalist from NBC News reported that he was able to get to occupied Crimea through the bridge, which has already been restored. Ukraine's foreign ministry condemned this visit.

The Russian regime opened the bridge in May 2018. In December 2019, Russia launched a railway connection with it, after which the USA introduced additional sanctions.