Ukraine Strikes Crimea Bridge for the Third Time Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine has announced a third strike on the Kerch Strait Bridge, crucial for Russia's military operations, following its recent ambitious attack inside Russian territory. The Security Service of Ukraine reported significant damage to the bridge's underwater supports.

Ukraine reported on Tuesday that it had struck the Kerch Strait Bridge for the third time, a critical infrastructure linking Crimea to the Russian mainland. The operation, conducted at 4:44 a.m., involved strategically planting explosives on support structures beneath the water and was executed by the Security Service of Ukraine (S.B.U). The agency stated that the detonation caused considerable damage to the underwater support pillars, equivalent to 1,100 kg of TNT, although the full extent of the damage remains unverified.

The attack is significant, arriving just two days after Ukraine undertook one of its boldest operations into Russian territory, targeting the Russian strategic bombing fleet. In its statement, the S.B.U confirmed no civilian casualties occurred during the latest strike. RIA Novosti, a Russian state media outlet, mentioned that the bridge was briefly closed following the blast but reopened later in the day according to an app used by Russian citizens for monitoring traffic.

The Kerch Strait Bridge, spanning 12 miles, serves as a vital supply route for Russian forces engaged in military operations in southern Ukraine. It holds considerable symbolic importance for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who oversaw the bridge's inauguration in 2018. Previous attacks on the bridge include a truck bomb explosion in October 2022 that caused extensive damage and subsequent strikes using maritime drones aimed at its support structures. Each incident resulted in repairs and heightened security measures around this critical infrastructure.

This ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with Ukraine demonstrating increased military capabilities and intentions to disrupt Russian supply lines. The international community watches closely as the situation develops.