Ukraine Claims Successful Underwater Attack on Crimea Bridge

Ukraine's Security Service reports that underwater explosives have severely damaged the Crimea bridge, a critical symbol of Russian occupation. This operation, planned over several months, adds to a series of military strikes aimed at undermining Russian logistical capabilities.

 

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has announced a significant strike on the Crimea bridge using underwater explosives, describing the operation as months in the making. According to the SBU, agents successfully "mined the supports" of the bridge with 1,100kg of explosives, which caused substantial damage to the structure's lower levels. The agency confirmed that the "first explosive device" was detonated early Tuesday, with no civilian casualties reported.

Initial reports from Russian media indicated that the bridge was briefly closed but reopened by 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT). However, by Tuesday afternoon, local authorities warned that traffic had been suspended again, with social media suggesting additional explosions around the bridge area.

While there has been no official comment from Russia regarding the attack, some military bloggers speculated that an underwater drone might have hit a protective barrier. The SBU, led by Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, stated that the operation was directly supervised and announced that previous assaults on the bridge occurred in 2022 and 2023, indicating a continuation of their strategy. Malyuk emphasized that "no illegal Russian facilities have a place on the territory of our state," positioning the bridge, which serves as a key logistical route for Russian troops, as a justified target in their ongoing conflict.

Also known as Kerch Bridge, it was constructed after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and officially opened in 2018 by President Vladimir Putin. In Ukraine, it represents a symbolic stronghold of Russian dominance, protected meticulously by Moscow, making attacks on it a significant military achievement. This latest strike follows closely on the heels of another extensive operation in which Ukraine reportedly infiltrated over 100 drones into Russia, targeting key military assets.