NewsUkraine's covert strike: Damage dealt to Crimean bridge supports

Ukraine's covert strike: Damage dealt to Crimean bridge supports

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a third attack on the Crimean Bridge, damaging its underwater supports. The operation lasted several months and was successfully completed without civilian casualties.

SBU: We attacked and damaged the Crimean Bridge.
SBU: We attacked and damaged the Crimean Bridge.
Images source: © X
Danuta Pałęga

Key information

        
  • The SBU conducted a third attack on the Crimean Bridge, damaging its underwater supports.
  • The operation lasted several months and was completed successfully without civilian casualties.
  • The Crimean Bridge is a key target due to its strategic importance for Russia.

Third attack on the Crimean Bridge

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that it conducted a third attack on the Crimean Bridge, which connects occupied Crimea with the mainland part of Russia. The attack took place on Tuesday morning and resulted in damage to the bridge's underwater supports. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to weaken Russian military infrastructure.

Operation details

The operation, which lasted several months, was meticulously planned and conducted without civilian casualties. The SBU reported that approximately 1,100 kilograms of explosives, in TNT equivalent, were used to damage the bridge supports. The bridge, a key logistical element for Russia, is now in an emergency state.

SBU agents mined the supports of this illegal structure. And today, without any civilian casualties, at 4:44 AM Eastern Time (22:44 PM EDT), the first explosive charge was detonated! — announced the SBU.

Significance of the Crimean Bridge

The Crimean Bridge, built by Russia from 2016 to 2019, is the only land connection between Crimea and Russia. Its strategic importance makes it a target for Ukrainian attacks. Previous attacks in 2022 and 2023 also aimed to weaken Russia's transport capabilities.

Statements from Ukrainian commanders

General Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SBU, emphasized that the operation was part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to regain control over Crimea.

God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always sees things through to the end and never does the same thing twice. We previously struck the Crimean Bridge twice, in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition, this time underwater — said Maliuk, adding that the bridge is "a completely legal target."

Reactions and future plans

Attacking the Crimean Bridge is part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to weaken the Russian presence in Crimea. Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neyizhpapa expressed optimism about the possibility of further actions, highlighting that the bridge is a key target due to its logistical importance for Russia.

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