Moscow - Traffic on the bridge connecting the annexed Crimean peninsula to the Russian mainland has resumed after a temporary suspension, as reported by the Russia-installed operator of the bridge on the Telegram messaging app.

This nearly 12-mile vital crossing, known as the Kerch Bridge, stands as Europe's longest bridge, carrying significant strategic and symbolic importance for Russia. It links the 2014 annexed Crimea and plays a crucial role in the resupply of military equipment during the ongoing conflict with neighboring Ukraine.

In the Telegram update, the bridge operator did not disclose the reason behind the suspension. Meanwhile, one civilian was killed and two others injured in shelling in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, according to Belgorod Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov, who provided additional information. Additionally, a woman suffered severe injuries during the shelling of a village in the neighboring Kursk region, which also shares a border with Ukraine, as reported by regional Gov. Starovoit.

On Saturday, Russia announced that its forces had successfully downed at least three Ukrainian naval drones employed in targeting the bridge. This action resulted in the temporary closure of the bridge for the third time in less than a year. Russia's Defence Ministry later confirmed that one naval drone was destroyed the day before, with two more taken down on Saturday morning.

In October, an explosion, caused by a truck bomb, damaged the bridge, resulting in at least three fatalities. The explosion also led to the collapse of sections into the sea and caused damage to the railway line. The Kerch Bridge, a critical supply route for Moscow's invading forces, has faced multiple attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February. Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, has vowed retaliation for the attack on the 2014 annexed Crimea Bridge, which was targeted using two Ukrainian naval drones.

Putin stated, "Russia's response to the terrorist attack will certainly follow, with the Russian Ministry of Defense already preparing relevant proposals." The repair work on the bridge was completed in July upon the orders of the Russian President, with the contract for the repairs awarded to the Irkutsk-based construction firm Nizhneangarsktransstroy, according to information on Russia's website."