FSB Arrests Eight People Over Crimean Bridge Blast: Majority Russian Citizens Accused of Organized by Ukraine's Intelligence Chief

JAKARTA - The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested eight accomplices suspected of being linked to the recent explosion on the Crimean Bridge.

"So far, five Russian nationals, as well as three Ukrainian and Armenian nationals who took part in preparations for the attack have been arrested as part of a criminal case", the FSB told TASS as quoted on October 12.

He further explained that at least 12 accomplices in the preparation of the terrorist acts have so far been identified. Three Ukrainians, two Georgians, and an Armenian national were behind the plan to arrange for the shipment of explosives from Bulgaria to Georgia and then to Armenia.

Another Ukrainian, as well as five identified Russians, had prepared documents for a non-existent Crimean company to receive explosives.

The FSB said the blast was organized by Ukrainian military intelligence and its director, Kyrylo Budinov. The explosive device was transferred from Ukraine to Russia via Bulgaria, Georgia, and Armenia, the FSB said.

Explosions on a twelve-mile-long bridge last weekend, destroyed a section of the road bridge, temporarily stopping road traffic. It also destroyed several fuel tankers on a train bound for the annexed peninsula from neighboring southern Russia.

The prestigious bridge, opened privately by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018, has grown to be logistically vital for the military campaign, with supplies for Russian troops fighting in southern Ukraine channeled through the bridge.