Ukraine Says Underwater Strike 'Severely Damaged' Key Bridge Connecting Russia to Crimea

What Happened?

Military officials from Ukraine on Tuesday claimed a massive underwater attack that targeted a key road and rail bridge in Russia.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that it had successfully detonated a blast that damaged the underwater pillars of Russia's Kerch Strait Bridge.

It's a key bridge that reportedly connects the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula to Russia's Krasnodar Krai region.

In a video and statement posted on the platform Telegram, SBU detailed its operation which it said 'lasted several months.'

SBU agents say they mined the pillars of the 'illegal facility’ without any civilian casualties.

The first explosive device SBU said was activated on Tuesday at 4:44 a.m. local time.

Officials note that 1,100 kg of TNT equivalent explosives were used to conduct this operation.

'In fact, the bridge is in a state of emergency,' the SBU added.

Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the SBU, reportedly supervised and coordinated the operation.

'No illegal objects of the Russian Federation have any place on the territory of our country. Therefore, the Crimean Bridge is an absolutely legitimate target,' Malyuk said in a statement. 'Crimea is Ukraine, and any manifestations of occupation will be met with our tough response.'

Malyuk added that this tradition of attacks has continued underwater after hitting the Crimean Bridge back in 2022 and 2023.

Why it Matters

Tuesday's attack marks the second high-profile operation by Ukraine in just days that has struck significant Russian assets.

Ukrainian officials said on Sunday they successfully conducted their biggest long-range attack against Russia after managing to smuggle 117 drones at four perimeter air bases.

The year-and-a-half coordinated attack, a part of the SBU's 'Spiderweb' operation, reportedly struck 34%, or roughly 40, of Russia's strategic cruise missile carriers.

Ukraine estimates the total damages to cost the Kremlin as much as $7 billion.

The SBU managed to impact one of the perimeter air bases as far as 2,500 miles deep from Ukraine's borders inside Siberia.

Tuesday's bridge attack came as Russia stated it was wrong to expect a quick breakthrough in Ukraine talks, according to reports.

Moscow rejected Kyiv’s call on Monday for an unconditional ceasefire during its latest negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey.

Zelenskyy told reporters that both delegations met and 'exchanged documents through the Turkish side' in preparation for a new prisoner release exchange.

Both sides had also agreed to swap 6,000 bodies of soldiers killed during the war.

The Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, however, 'It would be wrong to expect immediate solutions and breakthroughs.'

How it Affects You

Although President Donald Trump was not reportedly informed of Ukraine's latest operations, it signifies a much stronger stance in Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials reportedly arrived in the U.S. Tuesday to discuss 'defense support' strategies and press for tougher sanctions on Russia.

Russia's most recent demands have not aligned with Ukrainian leaders as the U.S. grows frustrated in its attempted broker efforts.

The three-year war, and counting, has reportedly killed tens of thousands on both sides and forced millions from their homes in eastern Ukraine.

The U.S.'s decision to implement new sanctions against Russia could mark a pivot step of momentum.

While expectations remain low for an immediate ceasefire, the bigger concern is how Russia may decide to respond next.