SBU Confirms Underwater TNT Strike on Crimean Bridge
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it damaged the Crimean Bridge early Tuesday using underwater explosives, the third such attack on the key Russian supply route since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The announcement was made via a Telegram post, which included video footage of the blast.
“The underwater support pillars were heavily damaged at the base — 1,100 kg of explosives (TNT equivalent) contributed to this. As a result, the bridge is now effectively in an emergency condition,” the SBU wrote.
No casualties have been reported, although traffic was suspended twice on Tuesday.
Pro-Russian Telegram channels reported that naval drones continued to target the bridge after the explosion, though these claims remain unverified.
According to the SBU, the operation was the result of several months of planning, overseen by its head, Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk.
“The Crimean Bridge is an absolutely legitimate target, especially given that the enemy was using it as a logistical artery to supply its troops. Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will receive our harsh response,” said Maliuk.
The 12-mile-long structure, commonly referred to as the Kerch Bridge, connects Russia to the occupied Crimea and plays a vital role in military logistics. It was constructed following Russia’s 2014 annexation of the region and officially opened by President Vladimir Putin in 2018.
Previous Ukrainian strikes damaged the bridge in October 2022 and July 2023. Russia repaired it both times.
The SBU’s recent operation came just days after Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian airbases, which Ukraine said damaged over a third of Russia’s cruise missile carriers.
The latest attack comes ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague, where President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend.
As of press time, Russia’s Ministry of Defense has not yet released a statement regarding the incident.
