Ukraine Hits Crimea Bridge linking Crimea to Russia with Underwater Explosives
On June 3, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced it had successfully carried out an underwater attack on the Kerch Bridge, the main road and rail link between Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula. This marks the third Ukrainian assault on the bridge since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Details of the Operation
The SBU stated that its operatives spent several months covertly mining the underwater supports of the bridge.
At 4:44 a.m. local time, about 1,100 kilograms (2,420 pounds) of explosives were detonated, targeting the bridge’s underwater pillars.
Ukrainian officials described the damage as “significant” and said the operation was conducted without civilian casualties.
Strategic and Symbolic Importance
The Kerch Bridge is a vital logistical route for Russian military operations, enabling the transport of troops and supplies between Russia and Crimea.
The bridge also holds major symbolic value for Russia and its leadership, having been inaugurated in 2018 after the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Immediate Aftermath
Russian authorities temporarily suspended traffic on the bridge, with closures lasting several hours before operations reportedly resumed.
Russian state media and military bloggers downplayed the impact, claiming the bridge quickly returned to normal function and suggesting the attack was unsuccessful.
Russian security services claimed to have detained a Ukrainian intelligence agent in connection with the attack.
Context and Previous Attacks
This is the third Ukrainian strike on the Kerch Bridge:
October 2022: A fuel truck explosion caused significant damage.
July 2023: An experimental sea drone attack damaged a section of the bridge.
Each time, Russia moved swiftly to repair the bridge and restore traffic.
Ukrainian Perspective
SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk emphasized that the bridge is a “completely legitimate target” due to its military significance.
Ukrainian leadership praised the SBU for their efforts, though did not specifically mention the bridge attack in public addresses.
Ukraine used 1,100 kg of explosives to damage the underwater supports of the Kerch Bridge.
The operation took months to plan and execute, with explosives placed by SBU agents below the waterline.
The attack underscores Ukraine’s ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian supply lines and challenge Moscow’s hold over Crimea.
Russian sources claim the bridge is operational, but independent verification of the full extent of the damage is not yet available.
Ukraine’s underwater attack on the Kerch Bridge represents both a strategic and symbolic blow to Russia’s military logistics and its claim over Crimea. While Russia asserts that the bridge remains functional, the incident highlights the vulnerability of key infrastructure in the ongoing conflict and Ukraine’s continued capacity for complex, high-impact operations deep behind enemy lines.
