After the heavy explosion on the Russian Crimean Bridge just one day after the 70th birthday of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, there was great ridicule in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov posted footage of the partially destroyed structure linking Russia and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, on Facebook on Saturday. He also posted a video showing Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe singing the birthday song “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to then-US President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
The video compilation was widely shared on social networks. Many commented that someone like Putin needs something special as a gift for the anniversary. The bridge has always been a project close to the heart of the Kremlin boss.
Danilov had previously verbally tangled with Russia’s ex-president Dmitry Medvedev after he threatened in July that Ukraine would face “doomsday” if it tried to retake Crimea. Danilov then reiterated that his country would definitely take back the peninsula.
The Crimean bridge, which is strategically and symbolically important for Russia and which Putin personally inaugurated in 2018, was shaken by a heavy explosion early on Saturday morning. Videos show major destruction. The exact background is still unclear. According to Russian sources, a truck exploded. However, Ukrainian media, citing security circles in Kyiv, reported that the SBU secret service was behind the special operation.
