FSB chief says multiple attempts to attack Crimean Bridge prevented

The head of the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), Alexander Bortnikov, said Russia has overhauled the protection system for the Crimean Bridge, enabling authorities to prevent several attempted attacks on the strategic transport link.

Bortnikov, who also serves as chairman of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee of Russia, said the strengthened security measures had already thwarted multiple attempts to strike the bridge.

“The comprehensive measures taken have made it possible to prevent a number of attempts by the enemy to carry out new attacks on this transport crossing,” he said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

The interview was published to mark the 20th anniversary of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee.

According to Bortnikov, specialised forces responsible for protecting key infrastructure regularly conduct drills and training exercises. These activities help identify and address “shortcomings in the anti-terrorist protection of facilities,” he said.

He added that the use of passive protective measures at infrastructure sites — including cable barriers, blast-wave-absorbing panels and other systems — helps reduce the potential impact of attacks while remaining “relatively inexpensive.”

By Tamilla Hasanova