What we can learn from the Kerch Bridge explosion

When it was built in 2018, the Kerch Bridge was the pride of Russian imperialism, much to the chagrin of the Ukrainians. The construction spans the Kerch Strait that separates the Black Sea from the Sea of Azov, connecting mainland Russia to the illegally annexed region of Crimea.

Crimea is a crucial area for the Russians since it is home to Sevastopol, a Russian naval port big enough to be home to their Black Sea Fleet, giving them strategic access to the Mediterranean and global trade.