Ukraine has struck the Kerch Bridge, a vital connection between Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula, using underwater explosives in a coordinated operation conducted by its security service (SBU).
This marks the third Ukrainian strike on the bridge since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
According to the SBU, agents planted explosives on the bridge’s piers over several months, detonating the first charge at 4:44 a.m. on Tuesday.
The attack reportedly involved 1,100 kilograms of explosives and caused significant damage to the underwater pillars supporting both road and rail sections of the bridge.
Traffic across the bridge was suspended twice on Tuesday—once in the early morning and again in the afternoon—before resuming shortly before 6 p.m. local time.
While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, the strike underscores Ukraine’s continued efforts to disrupt Russian supply lines and inflict strategic costs on Moscow.
The head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, confirmed he oversaw the operation and emphasized that the bridge remains a legitimate military target.
‘Russia uses the bridge as a logistical artery to supply its troops,’ Malyuk said. ‘We previously struck it in 2022 and 2023. Today, we continued that tradition—this time from below the surface.’
The Kerch bridge
The bridge, constructed after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, is both a critical supply route for Russian forces and a potent symbol for President Vladimir Putin.
Opened in 2018, it cost an estimated $3.7 billion and serves as a physical and ideological link between Crimea and mainland Russia.
