Calls from Russian sources are urging Vladimir Putin to target Westminster Bridge as retaliation for British drones allegedly destroying a Russian-controlled crossing during a Ukrainian operation.
Dramatic footage captured the moment when the Konka, a tributary of the River Dnipro, was struck by an explosion. The attack occurred in March last year, but recent revelations point to Ukraine utilizing British Malloy T-150 heavy-lift drones to cause damage to the bridge.
This disclosure has sparked anger among the Russians. A Moscow state media representative, Vladimir Kornilov, criticized British involvement in what he referred to as acts of sabotage on Russian territory. Despite the explosion taking place on Ukrainian soil according to international law, it was in a region invaded by Putin.
Kornilov suggested, “It’s about time we proudly announce: ‘Russian missiles have obliterated the crucial Westminster Bridge’. The actual perpetrators, however, may be the Houthis or Iranians!”
He expressed discontent with the British’s apparent satisfaction at their direct participation in the alleged terrorist act. Kornilov questioned what the British would celebrate if Westminster Bridge, located next to the Houses of Parliament, was destroyed.
Westminster Bridge has long been of interest to Russian entities. An image featuring Putin-affiliated figure Anna Chapman on the bridge before her apprehension in New York by the FBI and subsequent loss of her UK citizenship highlights this interest.
Another pro-Putin outlet, Tsargrad, stated, “The British seem ecstatic about their direct involvement in the terrorist incident… Shouldn’t the focus of strikes shift to the decision-making center following such a candid admission?”
Initially thought to be a straightforward aerial strike, the explosion on the Konka bridge is now revealed to have been orchestrated by Ukraine’s innovative 426th Unmanned Systems Regiment. This regiment, utilizing heavy-lift drones, conducted over 30 missions in 60 days, delivering a significant 1.5 tons of explosives while evading Russian detection.
Colonel Oleksii Bulakhov, the regiment’s commander, explained, “Bridges are relatively vulnerable from below, but their exterior is designed to be highly resilient.” The operation involved lowering a 50kg shaped charge onto the bridge’s weakest points via cable, followed by igniting the explosives with a missile.
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