KYIV, June 3: Ukraine has launched a third calculated attack on the strategic Kerch Bridge in Crimea, using underwater explosives to damage the critical Russian-built structure that links the annexed peninsula to mainland Russia, Euronews reported on Tuesday.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) released a video of the underwater blast, carried out in the early hours of the morning. According to an official Telegram post cited by Euronews, SBU operatives placed the equivalent of 1,100 kilograms of TNT beneath the bridge’s underwater pillars. The first explosion was triggered at 4:44 am local time. No civilian casualties were reported.
SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk, who personally oversaw the operation, called it a strategic success. “Crimea is Ukraine, and any acts of occupation will be dealt with harshly,” he said. “Third time’s a charm. The SBU always completes its plans and never repeats itself.”
The Kerch Bridge—constructed by Russia following its 2014 annexation of Crimea—has been a critical route for military logistics, enabling the transport of personnel and supplies to Russian forces occupying southern Ukraine. It also holds deep symbolic value for Moscow, as a physical assertion of its control over the peninsula.
Previous strikes in October 2022 and July 2023 inflicted significant damage despite increased Russian security and surveillance measures. The latest operation, according to Ukrainian sources, demonstrates Kyiv’s continued ability to penetrate Russian-controlled zones and disable high-value infrastructure.
Following Tuesday’s strike, the bridge was temporarily shut down. Russian Telegram channels claimed the closure was caused by drone debris on the bridge deck, while Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its forces intercepted three Ukrainian drones over Crimea during the night.
The strike came just hours before Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on Monday for a second round of direct peace talks. Citing CNN, the negotiations—which began late and lasted just over an hour—yielded minimal results. While both sides reportedly agreed to pursue a new prisoner exchange, no progress was made on a potential ceasefire.
The attack underscores Ukraine’s dual strategy of disrupting Russian military infrastructure while maintaining diplomatic pressure.
