Since 2023, Moscow has built up an extensive range of fortifications around the Crimea Bridge linking the occupied Ukrainian Peninsula with mainland Russia. Russian authorities have also reportedly mulled replacing the span with an undersea tunnel.

Ukraine says its strike campaigns have prompted Russia to bring out additional defenses. It's not the first time it's tried smoke.

The statement comes a few days after large-scale Ukrainian drone strikes that hit a railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal, fuel facilities, and military infrastructure…