Ukraine Strikes Again: 1,100 kg Explosives Hit Russia’s Symbolic Kerch Bridge

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Explosives Hit Kerch Bridge

Key Points

  • Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) carried out a dramatic underwater attack on the Crimean (Kerch) Bridge at 4:44 a.m., detonating 1,100 kg of explosives after months of covert preparation.
  • This is the third attack on the bridge since 2022; the operation aimed to severely damage the bridge’s underwater supports, a critical supply route for Russian military forces in Crimea and southern Ukraine.
  • The bridge, a $4 billion project opened in 2018, holds immense strategic and symbolic value for Russia and President Putin, serving as the only direct land link between Russia and annexed Crimea.
  • The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but traffic was halted for several hours, and the bridge is reportedly in a state of emergency.
  • The attack follows a major Ukrainian drone offensive on June 1 that targeted Russian airbases and destroyed multiple warplanes.

Moscow: In a bold escalation, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has targeted the Crimean Bridge also known as the Kerch Bridge—with a powerful underwater explosion, marking the third such attack since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The operation, which SBU officials say took months of meticulous planning, was executed at 4:44 a.m. local time when 1,100 kilograms of explosives were detonated beneath the bridge’s underwater supports.

“The underwater supports of the piers were severely damaged at the sea bottom level 1,100 kg of explosives in TNT equivalent contributed to this. The bridge is in an emergency state,” the SBU announced.

Months in the Making: How the Attack Unfolded

According to the SBU, agents covertly mined the bridge’s underwater pillars over several months, culminating in Tuesday’s blast. The agency released video footage purportedly showing the explosion beneath the structure. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the operation was carefully designed to avoid civilian casualties, and no injuries have been reported.

Russian authorities temporarily closed the bridge to all traffic for several hours after the explosion, later reopening it, though local sources indicated further closures for inspection and possible additional damage.

Strategic and Symbolic Impact

The 19-kilometer (12-mile) Crimean Bridge is not just a vital logistical artery for Russian military operations in southern Ukraine—it is also a potent symbol of Moscow’s control over Crimea since its annexation in 2014. Opened in 2018 and costing roughly $4 billion, the bridge was a personal project for President Vladimir Putin, intended to physically and politically bind Crimea to Russia.

For the Russian military, the bridge enables the transport of troops, weapons, fuel, and supplies to the occupied peninsula and further into southern Ukraine. Damaging or destroying this route disrupts Russia’s supply lines and military logistics, delivering a significant blow to its war effort.

A String of Attacks and Escalation

This latest operation comes just 72 hours after Ukraine’s mass drone strikes on Russian airbases, which reportedly destroyed five bases and at least 41 Russian warplanes. The Crimean Bridge itself has been targeted twice before: in October 2022, a truck bomb caused major damage, and in July 2023, maritime drones struck the bridge’s supports.

Each attack has forced Russia to enhance the bridge’s defenses and conduct urgent repairs, underscoring its vulnerability despite heavy fortification.

A Blow to Russian Prestige and Control

Beyond its military utility, the bridge is a symbol of Russia’s claim over Crimea and a source of national pride, often used by Putin for high-profile events. For Ukraine and its Western allies, it represents illegal occupation and is viewed as a legitimate military target.

Disrupting the bridge not only hampers military logistics but also impacts trade, tourism, and the daily lives of civilians in Crimea, further amplifying the strategic and psychological effects of the attack.

Summary Table: Crimean Bridge Attack

EventDetails
Date & TimeJune 3, 2025, 4:44 a.m. local time
MethodUnderwater explosives (1,100 kg TNT equivalent)
TargetCrimean (Kerch) Bridge’s underwater supports
Strategic ImportanceMain supply route for Russian military in Crimea and southern Ukraine
Symbolic Value$4 billion project, opened in 2018, personal prestige for President Putin
Previous AttacksOctober 2022 (truck bomb), July 2023 (maritime drones)
Civilian ImpactNo casualties reported, temporary traffic closures
Broader ImpactDisrupts Russian logistics, damages prestige, affects economy/civil life
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