Russia on Tuesday (July 18) took responsibility for the pre-dawn air attacks on Ukrainian port cities overnight, describing it as “a mass revenge strike” in response to the attack on the Crimean bridge that happened on Monday.

Russia says air strikes on Ukrainian ports were retaliation for Crimean Bridge attack

There is a reason why the Kerch Bridge—the bridge connecting occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland—was attacked twice allegedly by Ukraine—the first time in October last year and then on Monday.

Explained | Here’s why Crimean Bridge was targeted twice during Russia-Ukraine war

At least two people from Russia's Belgorod region were killed during the "emergency" situation on the Crimean bridge on Monday (July 17). The region's governor has said on the Telegram messaging app that a mother and father died and their daughter was injured.

Crimean Bridge: 'Ukraine behind the attack' that killed at least two