Ukraine Strikes Again: Underwater Explosives Hit Crimean Bridge in Latest Offensive

A recent publication by the Security service of Ukraine (SBU) reveals that they executed a remarkable underwater operation targeting the Crimean Bridge, a crucial supply line for Russia, early on Tuesday morning, June 3. This marks the third assault on the bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, but this time Ukrainian forces approached from beneath the water’s surface.

The SBU disclosed that this covert mission had been in progress for several months. Agents strategically placed explosives on one of the bridge’s underwater supports and detonated them at precisely 4:44 a.m. local time. They reported using over 1,100 kilograms of TNT equivalent in explosives, which they claim inflicted notable damage to the structure’s underwater foundation without any civilian injuries.Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, head of the SBU, reportedly oversaw this operation personally. He emphasized that targeting this bridge was justified since it has been utilized by Russian forces to transport troops and supplies into occupied regions of Ukraine. Malyuk reiterated Ukraine’s stance against recognizing any Russian infrastructure within its territory and warned that such installations would continue to be targeted aggressively. “Crimea is part of Ukraine,” he stated firmly.

the SBU shared an eight-second video clip capturing an explosion near the bridge followed by smoke rising into the air; however, it did not clearly depict extensive damage to the structure itself. The source of this footage remains undisclosed but speculation suggests it might have originated from CCTV cameras installed at or around the bridge.

In response to these events, Russian officials acknowledged an explosion occurred and noted that traffic across the Crimean Bridge was temporarily halted for inspections before resuming just after four hours later with no reported delays at checkpoints on either side.

Interestingly enough, a Telegram channel named Romanov Light claimed inspections revealed no damage to support structures but expressed concerns about future attacks and recommended enhancing underwater defenses with technologies like echo sounders and anti-torpedo systems.

Later in that same day around 3 p.m.,reports emerged from Ukrainian sources indicating another attempt was made against the bridge using sea drones; locals heard explosions while helicopters patrolled nearby waters. Russian media claimed they successfully thwarted this drone attack and even released footage showing one Ukrainian drone being destroyed by their own Lancet drone system.

Following these incidents, authorities once again closed off access to ensure safety while urging residents nearby to remain calm until reopening occurred later in accordance with official updates.

There are unverified claims suggesting Ukraine may have deployed its Marichka underwater drone during this operation; however, visual evidence supporting such assertions has yet to surface publicly.

This daring underwater strike came just two days after another significant offensive where Ukraine targeted Russian airbases under “Operation Spider’s Web.” Officials asserted these earlier strikes damaged key aircraft assets even though autonomous verification remains pending regarding specific losses incurred during those operations.

Spanning 19 kilometers long and inaugurated in 2018 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014—the Crimean Bridge serves as a vital link facilitating troop movements along with weaponry into southern regions as Russia escalated its invasion efforts back in 2022 despite claims from Moscow asserting minimal impact post-attack—SBU continues labeling it as being under “state emergency” conditions due largely due blast effects below waterline level.