Crimea bridge attack: Russia tells stranded tourists to drive home via occupied Ukraine
- Holidaymakers were encouraged to make a 400km (250-mile) trip through areas held by Moscow’s military, some of which are seriously affected by fighting
- Officials in occupied Ukraine said they would reduce curfew times to let tourists through and that the Russian army would increase security
Russian officials on Monday encouraged holidaymakers stranded in Crimea to drive home through occupied Ukraine after a Ukrainian attack halted car traffic on the bridge linking the peninsula to Russia.
The attack killed two people and left their daughter injured, with President Vladimir Putin ordering authorities to repair the road and help tourists stranded in Crimea.
Commercial flights to Moscow-annexed Crimea have been suspended after the start of the offensive in Ukraine, and most Russian tourists usually drive to Crimea over the bridge.
With traffic jams building up, officials suggested tourists drive 400km (250 miles) through territories held by the Russian army, some of which are seriously affected by fighting.
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Crimea bridge 'emergency' caused by Ukrainian surface drones, Russia says
“I ask residents and guests of the peninsula to refrain from travel on the Crimea bridge and with the aim of safety choose an alternative overland route through the new regions,” said the Moscow-installed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov.
