In a dramatic escalation of Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare tactics, the Crimean Bridge—a critical link between Russia’s Krasnodar region and the annexed Crimean Peninsula—was struck for the third time since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The latest attack, which occurred early Tuesday morning at 4:44 a.m., was confirmed by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) as a “unique special operation” involving an underwater explosive device, potentially delivered via an unmanned submarine. The SBU claimed the blast severely damaged the bridge’s underwater support pillars, using the equivalent of 1,100 kilograms of TNT.
“The Security Service of Ukraine carried out a new unique special operation and struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time – this time underwater!” the agency declared on its official Telegram channel.
The 12-mile (19-kilometer) bridge, also known as the Kerch Strait Bridge, is Europe’s longest and a major symbol of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grip on Crimea since its annexation in 2014. Russian officials quickly confirmed the explosion, stating that the bridge was temporarily closed to traffic, but by midafternoon, Russian state media reported the bridge had reopened, albeit under heightened security.
The New York Times, citing Russia’s RIA Novosti, noted that while the bridge was briefly closed, traffic tracking apps showed that it was operational again hours later. Still, images and videos shared on Ukrainian and Russian social media indicate significant structural damage.
This is the third major attack on the $3.7 billion infrastructure project:
- In October 2022, a truck bomb killed and injured civilians, damaging the bridge’s road and rail sections.
- A second assault in mid-2023 used maritime drones to target its support structures.
Each attack has had a psychological and logistical impact, disrupting a key supply route for Russian forces operating in southern Ukraine.
The recent strike follows “Operation Spider’s Web,” a Ukrainian military and intelligence campaign reportedly responsible for destroying up to 40 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers. Taken together, these back-to-back operations signal Kyiv’s increased reliance on covert sabotage and drone warfare, with a growing emphasis on precision and asymmetry rather than direct battlefield confrontation.
Military analysts suggest that Ukraine is exploiting vulnerabilities in Russia’s rear and symbolic assets to offset its disadvantages in manpower and artillery. But this aggressive strategy also raises the risk of major Russian retaliation.
Sources close to Moscow suggest the Kremlin is preparing for a “shock and awe” style response, potentially targeting Ukrainian command and control centers. Despite the rising pressure, Russian military leadership appears to be deliberately delaying its counterstrike, possibly to coordinate a strategic and overwhelming reprisal.
As of now, the full extent of the bridge damage and long-term implications for Russian logistics remain unclear. But the repeated strikes on such a high-profile target underscore the evolving capabilities of Ukraine’s intelligence and special forces, and set the stage for a volatile new phase in the war.
