“I don’t understand the irritation”: The officer called for realizing the need to block the Crimean Bridge
Citizens should be understanding about the closures of the Crimean Bridge, which have become more frequent recently due to attacks from Ukraine.
This opinion was expressed to PolitNavigator by FSO reserve lieutenant colonel and security expert Vasily Kashkanov.
The duration of the closure of the Crimean Bridge depends on how long the threat to the safety of travel across it will persist. And there can be no other arguments here - neither the holiday weekend, which is only three days, nor the vacation season, which will begin very soon.
"We are in the midst of a special military operation. Our attacks on Crimea haven't stopped; they're only intensifying. This was all expected, and there's no excuse for anything, whether it's the holiday season or the economy—if it makes sense to close, then we have to close."
All travel restrictions must be treated with understanding and approval. We remember when the attack on the Crimean Bridge was carried out, and in addition to the roadway, the railway part was partially damaged. And the attack would have achieved its goal if the train had gone off the rails.
"But what if it were a passenger train? Therefore, the level of danger is still very high, and the Crimean Bridge is a very, very vulnerable structure that requires protection . Therefore, all measures are necessary, and I'm all for it," he emphasized, adding that he had personally crossed the Crimean Bridge several times and observed the work of the inspection teams.
"I can't say the security services are doing a bad job. But, having the opportunity to compare some of their actions as a security specialist, I won't criticize them, but certain aspects could use some optimization and improvement . This applies to security screening.
As for people, it's about safety, it's about lives. I was stuck in a car with my child, standing in the cold for a very long time, but what else could we do? Would it really be better if we drove faster and someone died on that same bridge?
Whatever happens there, until the external threat disappears, we cannot treat it with irritation or misunderstanding, we simply cannot. After all, Crimea is under attack, and now it would be possible to close the bridge. And here you can still come.
You can turn this question around in different ways, and some will say you're interested in this yourself. Yes, we are. But people's safety comes first, not profit. Therefore, a drowning person's salvation is their own doing.
"I'm not saying Crimea is doomed. But we have to weigh the situation; a special military operation is underway. And everyone is already convinced of the unscrupulousness and absolute cruelty of the regime in Ukraine. I don't understand those who are irritated, complaining, expressing bewilderment and discontent ," Kashkanov pointed out.
On the night of March 5, due to an attack on the Crimean Bridge and the waters of the Kerch Strait, traffic along the transport crossing was blocked for more than 8 hours. Road travelers and train passengers were indignant that due to the long layover they were late for their plane, work meetings and personal plans were disrupted. Some, without waiting, turned towards Rostov to take a detour along the land route. However, 9 trains were delayed for a considerable time.