News Wrap: Crimea bridge explosion deals blow to Russian military operations

Geoff Bennett:

Good evening. It's great to be with you. And as we come on the air, we are tracking the fallout after an explosion consumed parts of the only bridge linking the occupied Crimean Peninsula to Russia. The bridge collapse disrupted a key supply line for Russian troops fighting in southern Ukraine and dealt a major blow to the Kremlin. Ali Rogin has this report.

Ali Rogin:

On the Kerch Bridge, trains carrying fuel caught fire, and a care lane collapsed into the street below. closed circuit television caught the moment of impact. Russia blamed it on a truck bomb and said it killed three people. The explosion destroyed just part of the 12-mile bridge but it's a major blow to the Russian military. The Kerch Bridge is a critical supply line, the only one of its kind linking Crimea with Russia. It spans the Kerch's strait which links the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov. Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the bridge to great fanfare in 2018 after illegally annexing Crimea four years earlier.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through translator):

A different historical times, people dreamed of building this bridge. Now finally, thanks to your work, this project, this miracle turned true.

Ali Rogin:

In Kyiv, Ukrainians greeted the bombing of Putin's bridge with joy. By Saturday afternoon a mock-up of a new commemorative stamp, featuring a burning bridge stood in a central square.

Anastasiya Hlynchak, Kyiv Resident:

The news is very pleasant, too bad it didn't happen yesterday on Putin's birthday.

Ali Rogin:

Russian investigators have not yet named suspects. For its part Ukrainian government reacted with sarcasm. Its official Twitter account tweeted simply, sick burn. But in southern Ukraine, the situation was worsening at the Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Officials said, shelling had cut the main power line so that it was now relying on emergency diesel generators. For "PBS News Weekend," I'm Ali Rogin.

Geoff Bennett:

And in the day's other headlines, funerals are underway in Thailand for the 36 people who were killed in a massacre at a daycare center on Thursday. 24 of the victims were toddlers, mourners gathered at several Buddhist temples filled with children's keepsakes, flowers and photos. Some set with their loved ones overnight in the Buddhist tradition of keeping company for those who died young, a former police sergeant was responsible for the killings, one of the worst massacres in modern history.

The President of Indonesia said today that soccer's world governing body will not sanction his country for using tear gas at a soccer match last weekend. Police had fired tear gas to disperse an unruly crowd, causing a deadly crush at the end. Since 131 people were killed. FIFA advises against the use of tear gas but it has no authority over how local governments and police control crowds. The Indonesian government says it's agreed to work with FIFA to improve stadium safety. Indonesia is slated to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year.

And trains across northern Germany came to a three-hour standstill today in what authorities are calling an act of sabotage. Vital cables were severed in several locations, leaving hundreds of rail passengers stuck. The cause of the disruption is under investigation. The incident raised alarm given last month's acts of sabotage on the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea.

And a U.S. Army Base will now be given a new name in the coming months to honor a Latino four-star general. Fort Hood named after a Confederate General who led the Army's Texas brigade will now honor Decorated Army General Richard Cavazos. He was the first Hispanic American to become an army four star general. The 2021 Defense Authorization Act directed the removal of all imagery and titles that honor or commemorate the Confederacy.

And still to come on "PBS News Weekend," why gas prices are rising across the country again. And a corporate business leader encourages discussion of mental health issues in the workplace.