In a bold and high-stakes move, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a daring underwater attack on the Crimean Bridge — a critical lifeline connecting Russia to the occupied Crimean Peninsula. Early Tuesday morning, the bridge was rocked by explosives, marking the third time Ukraine has taken aim at this symbolic and strategic structure since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Ukraine Strikes Again — This Time From Below
At exactly 4:44 a.m. local time on Tuesday, a powerful explosion hit the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge. According to the SBU, agents had planted explosives underwater months in advance and timed the blast with military precision.
In a post on Telegram, Ukraine’s SBU proudly announced:
“The Security Service of Ukraine carried out a new unique special operation and struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time – this time underwater!”
Yeah, you heard that right — underwater.
The agency added that this complex operation took several months to plan and execute. Ukrainian forces reportedly used a whopping 1,100 kilograms (over 2,400 pounds) of explosives to damage the underwater pillars supporting the bridge’s road and rail system.
Bridge Temporarily Shut Down
Russian officials didn’t immediately comment on the damage, but early Tuesday morning, the bridge operator’s official Telegram channel reported a sudden suspension of traffic. By 9 a.m. local time, the operator claimed traffic had resumed. Still, the damage — especially to the structural supports below the water — could spell longer-term consequences.
While Russia downplayed the attack, this strike is a clear message: Ukraine is not backing down.
Previous Attacks on the Crimean Bridge
If this all sounds familiar, that’s because it is.
This is the third time the Crimean Bridge has been targeted:
- October 2022: A fuel truck exploded, causing a massive fire and damaging part of the bridge.
- July 2023: Ukraine’s SBU used a sea drone packed with explosives to blow up a section of the bridge.
- June 2025: Underwater explosives strike again — and hard.
The head of the SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, put it this way:
“God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always sees things through to the end and never does the same thing twice.”
Talk about keeping it fresh.
Why the Crimean Bridge Matters to Russia
Built after Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, the 12-mile bridge is a vital supply route for Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. It’s also a personal pet project of President Vladimir Putin, who sees it as a symbol of his mission to bind Crimea to mainland Russia.
Putin even drove a truck across it himself when it first opened, so yeah — this bridge is a big deal to him.
For Ukraine, the bridge is more than just concrete and steel. It’s a target that cuts off Russian logistics, stings Moscow politically, and boosts morale at home and abroad.
Part of a Bigger Strategy
Tuesday’s attack comes just two days after Ukraine reportedly launched a dramatic air raid on Russia’s fleet of nuclear-capable bombers. This uptick in bold, strategic strikes shows Ukraine’s commitment to hitting high-value targets that can disrupt Russia’s war machine.
Each successful hit chips away at Russia’s ability to sustain its occupation and pressures the Kremlin to rethink its strategies.
This developing story is still unfolding, and updates are expected in the coming days. But one thing is clear: Ukraine is taking the fight deep into enemy territory — and using next-level tactics to do it.
Whether you’re following this war closely or just catching up, this latest move by Ukraine proves that innovation and grit are reshaping the battlefield in 2025.
