"Kremlin's Failure to Protect Crimean Bridge No Longer Shocks Russia's Elites"

The recent drone strike on the Crimean bridge connecting mainland Russia to annexed Crimea has been met with little surprise among Russian political and business elites, indicating a growing sense of routine in the face of attacks. The bridge, a high-profile military target, is a major logistics artery for civilian and Russian military cargo. The attack has disrupted traffic and tourism, impacting the region's economy. The Kremlin's response is expected to involve retaliatory aerial strikes on Ukrainian cities. The ongoing attacks highlight Putin's political and military weakness and failure to provide a stable link to the region, while Ukraine aims to cut off travel routes between Crimea and Russia.