Ukraine Strikes Crimea Bridge Underwater, Disrupting Russia’s Vital Supply Line

Ukraine Strikes Again: Underwater Explosives Deal Blow to Russia’s Crimean Bridge

Third time's the charm? Ukraine definitely thinks so. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Ukrainian forces pulled off yet another high-stakes operation, targeting the strategic Crimean Bridge—also known as the Kerch Bridge—linking Russia to the occupied Crimean Peninsula. This time, they went underwater and left Moscow rattled.

At exactly 4:44 a.m., Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) triggered explosives planted beneath the surface, severely damaging the structure that has served not just as a military supply line but also a massive symbol of Russian dominance in the region.

“God loves the Trinity,” said Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the SBU. “And the SBU always sees things through to the end. We never do the same thing twice.”

That’s right—this was the third attack on the bridge since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. And according to the SBU, it won’t be the last if Russia keeps using it as a “logistical artery” to fuel its war effort.

🎯 Why This Bridge Matters—Big Time

The Crimean Bridge isn’t just another piece of infrastructure. It’s both a strategic military route and a bold political statement. Built after Russia’s controversial annexation of Crimea back in 2014, the $3.7 billion project was opened with much fanfare in 2018 by none other than President Vladimir Putin himself.

For Moscow, the bridge:

• Moves troops, fuel, and ammo into occupied Ukrainian territory.

• Symbolizes the forced unification of Crimea with Russia.

• Acts as a morale booster for Russian nationalists.

So when Ukraine hits it? It’s not just a military move—it’s a headline-grabbing political slap.

🧨 The Operation: Months in the Making

Ukraine’s SBU took credit for this most recent strike in a post on Telegram. They revealed some jaw-dropping details:

• 1,100 kilograms of explosives were used.

• The team spent several months planning and executing the underwater assault.

• Their agents mined the piers—the underwater pillars holding up the road and rail bridge—then set off the charges at the crack of dawn.

Although Russian officials haven't confirmed or denied Ukraine’s version of events, they did act fast. According to the bridge operator’s Telegram account, all traffic—both vehicle and rail—was temporarily suspended. In addition, maritime routes near Sevastopol (Crimea's largest city) were paused, reported Russian state outlet RIA Novosti.

🛑 More Than Just a Traffic Jam

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a disruption in traffic. It’s a multi-layered headache for the Kremlin.

• Military Impact: The bridge is a key supply route. Disabling it chokes the flow of supplies to Russian troops entrenched in southern Ukraine.

• Economic Pressure: Interruptions like these are costly, both in terms of repairs and logistics.

• Symbolic Damage: Hitting this bridge shakes the illusion of Russian control over Crimea.

And all this while Ukraine is pushing back hard in other ways too.

✈️ Sunday’s Airfield Attack: Ukraine’s Audacious Combo Move

Just two days before the bridge blast, Ukraine launched another headline-worthy strike—this time with drones. Their target? Moscow’s fleet of nuclear-capable bombers stationed at airfields thousands of miles away from Ukraine.

That attack wasn’t just daring—it was devastating:

• Caused an estimated $7 billion in damage.

• Hit 34% of Russia’s strategic cruise missile carriers.

• Dealt a significant blow to Moscow’s long-range attack capabilities.

And yep, that was another brainchild of Vasyl Malyuk. The man’s definitely keeping busy.

📜 A Look Back: Ukraine’s History with the Crimean Bridge

Let’s rewind a bit to understand just how persistent Ukraine has been with this bridge:

1. October 2022: A fuel truck exploded on the bridge, engulfing part of it in flames. The aftermath looked like something out of a war movie.

2. July 2023: The SBU struck again—this time with an experimental sea drone that blew out another section of the structure.

Both times, Russia scrambled to repair the damage. But the message was clear: the bridge is not safe, and Ukraine isn’t backing down.

🧠 Psychological Warfare at Its Finest?

Beyond the explosives and engineering, this kind of strike sends a powerful message: Ukraine can reach you wherever you are. Whether it’s a bridge in occupied territory or bombers parked deep inside Russia, Kyiv’s showing it’s not afraid to raise the stakes.

Also, there’s something to be said about the timing and coordination of these attacks. Back-to-back strikes on strategic assets create chaos, slow response times, and—let’s face it—rattle nerves in the Kremlin.

🧩 So What’s Next?

Here’s what to keep an eye on:

• Russia’s response: Will they launch retaliatory strikes? Ramp up defenses?

• Repair timeline: How quickly can they patch things up? Will it hold this time?

• Ukraine’s next move: With each successful attack, they seem to get bolder. Is another strike already in the pipeline?

And perhaps most importantly: how long can Russia maintain this war effort when key logistical channels keep getting blown out from under them?

Final Thoughts: Ukraine’s Playing for Keeps

When Vasyl Malyuk said, “We previously struck the Crimean Bridge twice… so today we continued this tradition,” he wasn’t joking. This third strike—bold, underwater, and perfectly timed—shows that Ukraine isn’t just reacting anymore. It’s setting the pace.

Russia’s iconic bridge now stands damaged once more, not just structurally, but symbolically. And as the war grinds on, one thing is clear: Ukraine’s not waiting for opportunities—they’re creating them.