A Russian court on Thursday sentenced eight people to life in prison over huge 2022 explosions that partially destroyed the Crimean bridge, an attack both Kyiv and Moscow said was organised by Ukraine's secret services. Five people were killed when the 19-kilometre (12-mile) Kerch road and rail bridge was hit by a truck bomb blast on October 8, 2022, eight months after Moscow launched its all-out offensive on Ukraine. Kyiv later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was aimed at hampering Moscow's logistics.&nbsp;The Crimean peninsula -- annexed by Russia in 2014 -- has been a key supply route for Russia's troops fighting in the south of Ukraine.&nbsp;"The defendants were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment," Russia's southern military court in the city of Rostov-on-Don said on Telegram.&nbsp;The attack set ablaze seven oil tankers being transported by train and collapsed two sections of the highway, Russia said. The men were tried in a closed-door hearing at a military court.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-1-500-homes-destroyed-thousands-left-homeless-as-bangladesh-slum-fire-rages-for-16-hours-1764226617600">Over 1,500 homes destroyed, thousands left homeless as Bangladesh slum fire rages for 16 hours</a>&nbsp;The bridge is seen by both Ukraine and Russia as a hugely symbolic installation of Moscow's 2014 seizure of the Crimean peninsula.&nbsp;President Vladimir Putin personally inaugurated the bridge, which links Russia to Crimea, in 2018 -- even driving a truck across it.&nbsp;Moscow had maintained the crossing was safe despite the fighting, but it has been targeted repeatedly throughout the war.&nbsp;The men were charged with carrying out a "terrorist act" that caused death and illegally obtaining weapons as an organised group, the court said. Two were also charged with smuggling explosives.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

The bridge is seen by both Ukraine and Russia as a hugely symbolic installation of Moscow's 2014 seizure of the Crimean peninsula.

A Russian court on Thursday sentenced eight people to life in prison over huge 2022 explosions that partially destroyed the Crimean bridge, an attack both Kyiv and Moscow said was organised by Ukraine's secret services. Five people were killed when the 19-kilometre (12-mile) Kerch road and rail bridge was hit by a truck bomb blast on October 8, 2022, eight months after Moscow launched its all-out offensive on Ukraine. Kyiv later claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was aimed at hampering Moscow's logistics. The Crimean peninsula -- annexed by Russia in 2014 -- has been a key supply route for Russia's troops fighting in the south of Ukraine. "The defendants were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment," Russia's southern military court in the city of Rostov-on-Don said on Telegram. The attack set ablaze seven oil tankers being transported by train and collapsed two sections of the highway, Russia said. The men were tried in a closed-door hearing at a military court. Also Read - Over 1,500 homes destroyed, thousands left homeless as Bangladesh slum fire rages for 16 hours The bridge is seen by both Ukraine and Russia as a hugely symbolic installation of Moscow's 2014 seizure of the Crimean peninsula. President Vladimir Putin personally inaugurated the bridge, which links Russia to Crimea, in 2018 -- even driving a truck across it. Moscow had maintained the crossing was safe despite the fighting, but it has been targeted repeatedly throughout the war. The men were charged with carrying out a "terrorist act" that caused death and illegally obtaining weapons as an organised group, the court said. Two were also charged with smuggling explosives. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The bridge is seen by both Ukraine and Russia as a hugely symbolic installation of Moscow's 2014 seizure of the Crimean peninsula.

Eight men sent to life sentences by Russia court for 2022 Crimea bridge blast

The Supreme Court of Russia decided on Thursday to label LGBT campaigners as extremists, a decision that gay and transgender rights advocates fear may result in arrests and legal action. In court, a Reuters reporter heard it declare that it had granted the justice ministry's plea to label "the international LGBT social movement" as extreme and to outlaw its operations.

Russia's Supreme Court bans LGBTQ movement, asks govt to designate gays as extremists

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Eight men sent to life sentences by Russia court for 2022 Crimea bridge blast

Russia's Supreme Court bans LGBTQ movement, asks govt to designate gays as extremists