Air raid sirens and explosions shake Crimea, bridge traffic halted

Air raid sirens are wailing in Crimea. Authorities have declared a missile attack threat. Traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been halted. This is the second alarm within a few minutes. Media reports a series of explosions and smoke rising above Cape Fiolent.

Sirens in Crimea wailed three times within 15 minutes. The first warning was issued around 8:17 AM ET. At that time, the Crimean Bridge press service reported that the crossing was closed. Next, sirens sounded in Sevastopol and Simferopol.

There were reports of explosions allegedly caused by Black Sea Fleet exercises being conducted during the alarm. At 8:22 AM ET, the threat was canceled, only to have another missile attack warning issued two minutes later.

The following warning was issued at 8:31 AM ET. "Immediately go to a shelter. Air defense is active," Crimean media, including the channel CzP_Krym, reported.

The Krymski Wiatr (Crimean Wind) channel reported that smoke was visible above Cape Fiolent.

Explosions were also heard near the Saki airport. "In some military units of Sevastopol, an alarm has been initiated," wrote the channel.

The channel CzP_Sevastopol reported that one of the targets "disappeared without being shot down."