Video: Ukraine Targets Crimean Bridge For Third Time With Underwater Explosives

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has carried out a unique underwater operation to strike the Crimean Bridge, Russia’s key supply route, early Tuesday morning, June 3. The bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, was hit for the third time by Ukrainian forces, but this time the attack came from below the water.

According to the SBU, the secret operation had been in planning for several months. Ukrainian agents planted explosives on one of the bridge’s underwater pillars and detonated the device at exactly 4:44 a.m. local time. The agency stated that over 1,100 kilograms of explosives, in TNT equivalent, were used in the blast, which it claimed caused serious damage to the underwater base of the structure. No civilian casualties were reported.

The head of the SBU, Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, was said to have personally overseen and coordinated the operation. In a statement, he said that this was the third time Ukraine had targeted the bridge after previous attacks in 2022 and 2023. He added that the bridge is a legitimate military target, as it has been used by Russia to transport troops and supplies into occupied Ukrainian territory.

Malyuk stated that Ukraine does not recognise any Russian-built infrastructure on its land and warned that such facilities would continue to face a strong response. “Crimea is Ukraine,” he said, as quoted by Ukrainian media.

СБУ провела нову унікальну спецоперацію і втретє вразила Кримський міст — цього разу під водою!

Операція тривала декілька місяців. Агенти СБУ замінували опори цього незаконного об’єкта.

https://t.co/Rf4fR7QDXk pic.twitter.com/wgsS4HoCbc

— СБ України (@ServiceSsu) June 3, 2025

The SBU also released an 8-second video clip showing a blast erupting from the water near the bridge, followed by a plume of smoke. They also shared a still image showing what appears to be damage to the bridge’s guardrail. However, the footage does not clearly show the full extent of the damage. The SBU did not reveal how the video was obtained, though some reports suggest it may have come from the bridge’s own CCTV security system.

Russian authorities acknowledged the explosion. The official Crimean Bridge Telegram channel said that the bridge had been temporarily closed for inspection but reopened just over four hours later, around 9:00 a.m. local time. It stated that vehicle traffic had resumed and there were no delays at the inspection points on either side of the bridge.

A Russian Telegram channel known as Romanov Light claimed that the bridge support was inspected and found to be undamaged. The same channel, however, expressed concern about the attack and urged the government to strengthen underwater defenses around the bridge. The suggestions included installing echo sounders, anti-torpedo systems, and additional underwater barriers.

Later in the day, Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported that there was a second attack attempt on the bridge using sea drones around 3 p.m. local time. Residents in the area heard an explosion, and a helicopter was seen patrolling along the coastline. Russian sources claimed they repelled the drone attack and released a video that showed a Ukrainian surface drone boat being destroyed by a Russian Lancet drone.

defended Kerch bridge with Lancet against sea drone pic.twitter.com/7ZANL5nagi

— C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) June 3, 2025

Following this second incident, Russian authorities again closed the bridge temporarily and asked people in the area to remain calm. The bridge was later reopened around 5:42 p.m., according to the latest official updates.

There have been unconfirmed reports that Ukraine might have used its Marichka underwater drone for the operation, though no visual proof has been made public.

This underwater attack came just two days after Ukraine launched a major drone strike on Russian airbases, a mission known as “Operation Spider’s Web.” Ukrainian officials claimed that the earlier strikes damaged or destroyed strategic bombers and other high-value aircraft, although the exact number of aircraft affected has not been independently confirmed.

The 19-kilometre-long Crimean Bridge, opened in 2018, is a vital connection between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. The bridge has been crucial for moving troops, weapons, and supplies into southern Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Despite the reopening and Russian claims that the bridge was not seriously harmed, the SBU continues to describe the structure as being in a “state of emergency” due to the underwater blast.

Reference: SSU

Source: Maritime Shipping News