Ukraine Carries Out Massive Underwater Blast on Crimean Bridge Linking Russia and Crimea
Ukrainian Security Service destroys approximately 2,500 pounds of explosives under Russia-Crimea bridge, causing major damage.
A powerful underwater explosion rocked the Kerch Bridge, a key link between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula, leaving the critical structure in what Ukrainian officials described as a "state of emergency" on Tuesday morning. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attack, declaring it had deployed approximately 2,500 pounds of explosives targeting the bridge’s supporting pillars beneath the surface.
The dramatic strike follows closely on the heels of Ukraine’s bold "Operation Spider's Web"—a wide-ranging series of drone attacks that deeply penetrated Russian territory within the last week. That operation reportedly devastated more than forty Russian military aircraft stationed at five separate airfields, dealing a significant blow to Russia’s aerial warfare capabilities. The twin offensives mark a new escalation in Ukraine’s campaign to disrupt Russian military logistics and undermine Moscow’s hold on occupied territories.
Ukrainian officials assert that the Kerch Bridge represents a legitimate military target due to its ongoing role as a supply artery for Russian forces deployed throughout southern Ukraine. SBU Lt. Gen. Vasily Malyuk emphasized this position, stating, "The Crimean Bridge is therefore an absolutely legitimate target, especially given that the enemy used it as a logistical artery to secure their troops." Malyuk further underscored Ukraine’s resolve: "Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of the occupation will receive our harsh response."
Video footage from the aftermath showed significant damage around one of the bridge’s main supports, with emergency crews and inspectors moving cautiously across the battered structure. According to the SBU, no civilian casualties were reported as a result of the blast. Traffic on the bridge was halted for about three hours before being briefly reopened, only to be closed again as the extent of the structural damage became clearer.
This latest operation, personally overseen by Malyuk, reportedly took months of meticulous planning. In a statement, he referenced previous Ukrainian attacks on the bridge in 2022 and 2023, noting, "Today we continued this tradition already underwater.” The strike marks the third major incident targeting the crossing since the beginning of the full-scale conflict.
The attack comes at a moment when diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia have stalled yet again, with both sides hardening their positions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned against any deal that would reward alleged acts of aggression or occupation, signaling that hostilities are likely to persist as Ukraine continues its campaign to reclaim control over its disputed territories.
