Risk of Putin Escalating War 'High' After Crimean Bridge Explosion—Official

The risk "is high" that Vladimir Putin will escalate his attack on Ukraine after an explosion erupted on the strategically vital Kerch Straight Bridge on Saturday, according to a Ukrainian official.

Speaking to Newsweek Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister, urged the West to dramatically increase arms supply to Kyiv to meet the new threat.

At around 6 a.m. local time the bridge between Crimea and Russia was rocked by an explosion, which caused a section of the road bridge to collapse and ignited a train on the parallel rail bridge. Three people in a passing car were killed, according to Russian authorities.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee said the damage was caused by a lorry exploding, though this has not been independently verified.

Russia has not apportioned blame for the explosion, and Ukraine has not claimed any responsibility.

Putin personally opened the road section of the bridge in 2018 after seizing and annexing the Ukrainian province of Crimea in 2014.

Speaking to Newsweek Gerashchenko warned the situation in Ukraine could now escalate.

He said: "The possibility of escalation from Putin's side is high. We ask to give us more weapons. We don't ask to fight for us.

"We need three times as many HIMARS [multiple rocket launchers] and artillery, five times more tanks and armored vehicles, first and foremost including tanks produced by NATO countries, 10 times more vehicles.

"Your governments shouldn't wait and keep all the weapons, ammunition and vehicles in warehouses. Send it all to Ukraine so we can finish the war."

On Twitter Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a U.S. Air Force veteran, said the impact of the explosion on the wider war will be dramatic.

He tweeted: "It seems hard to overstate how important and devastating the #Kerch bridge fire/collapse/errant cigarette is to the Russian war effort."

The House Representative for Illinois added: "Will also make stealing washing machines and looting harder."

Widespread looting was reported in Russian occupied areas of Ukraine after the invasion, with washing machines emerging as a favored target.

Earlier on Saturday the Kerch Strait Bridge explosion sparked mockery on social media from Ukrainian officials.

Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, posted a split screen video showing the bridge engulfed with flames and Marilyn Monroe singing 'Happy Birthday.'

The latter part is a reference to Putin, who turned 70 on Friday.

Speaking to the BBC Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russian leaders have started to "prepare their society" for the possible use of nuclear weapons.

He said: "They begin to prepare their society. That's very dangerous. They are not ready to do it, to use it. But they begin to communicate. They don't know whether they'll use or not use it. I think it's dangerous to even speak about it."

Newsweek has contacted Russia's defense ministry for comment.