DNIPRO / OSLO (Dagbladet): – We have finally caught up, says Ukrainian Olga (47) to Dagbladet.
It refers to the explosion on the bridge between the annexed Crimean peninsula and the Russian mainland, which caused a partial collapse early Saturday morning.
The 47-year-old, who sells beautiful art in the city center, says she was filled with happiness when she woke up to the news.
– But what happens next? We do not know. Nobody knows what the Russians might come up with. It’s very scary, she adds.
Expect more similar attacks
It is a sunny day in Dnipro. Many are out on the streets or enjoying the afternoon sun on the promenade along the river of the same name.
Dagbladet meets several people who react to the collapse of utility with a feeling of satisfaction, but also ambivalence.
– This is the first day with good news in over seven months, says taxi driver Roman (25).
However, he tells of mixed feelings related to the attack, which is said to have caused the deaths of three people.
– It’s bad to be happy about something like this, but they destroyed our homes. Then we can afford to destroy the infrastructure that helps their forces, Roman says.
EXCITED: Dagbladet meets the Ukrainian Roman in the city of Dnipro. Photo: Morten Risberg / Dagbladet
sea View
Later we meet a cheerful woman in overalls. She runs a small puppet theater with stuffed animals, which she also sells.
The hilarity continues when Dagbladet asks about his reaction to the attack in the morning hours.
– Emotions have skyrocketed – positive emotions, says Valentina (70).
– Why are they the only ones to beat us? Now it looks like we’re also winning a little bit.
He also had time to think about the consequences the incident could have on the course of the war.
– What will they do now? Presumably the usual. They bomb homes of civilians and civilian cities, including children, says Valentina, who adds that she hopes there will be similar attacks on Russian infrastructure in the future.
HAPPY: Ukrainian Olga hopes for more similar attacks. Photo: Morten Risnes / Dagbladet
sea View
The claimed bridge was nearly impossible to attack
The bridge consists of both a railway bridge and a road traffic bridge running parallel, and it is through this that supplies are transported to the Crimea.
The incident also represents a prestigious defeat for Vladimir Putin.
The bridge was hailed as “the building of the century” by Russian authorities when it opened in 2018. At the latest in May, Russian media claimed that he was so well protected that it was almost impossible to attack him.
The big question for Russia now is how long it will take before the bridge is operational again.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday afternoon that it will be partially reopened for traffic. The reopening will only affect parts of the bridge and traffic will be limited.
