On June 3, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine (hereinafter referred to as the SBU) for the third time during Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine struck the Crimean bridge During the underwater operation, one of the supports of the main span of the illegally constructed crossing was blown up.

The SBU stated that 1,100 kilograms of explosives equivalent to TNT contributed to the damage to the bridge support. It was noted that the bridge across the Kerch Strait is in fact in a state of emergency. Ukrainian edition Defense Express also drew attention to the fact that the service shared a video of the moment of the explosion. This indicates either a hacking of the video surveillance network at the crossing, or the installation of their own device.

As for the explosion itself, the explosion was carried out underwater - at a depth of about 10 meters, which is why there is no fire and columns of smoke, which were accompanied by previous damage to the Crimean Bridge. At the same time, it will be possible to assess the real condition of the damaged support only during diving work. And the fact that the explosion occurred deep in the sea also speaks of the complexity of carrying out any repair work, the material emphasizes.

But more attention is drawn to the question of what means was used to destroy the Crimean Bridge. The explosives alone weighed over a ton without the hull, so it is unlikely that they were placed there with the help of swimmers. One option could have been the use of underwater drones, Defense Express suggests.

"In particular, we can recall the publicly demonstrated"Toloka" drone. But not the TLK-150, which has very limited capabilities: a range of up to 100 km, a warhead (warhead) or other payload weight of 20-50 kg. And about the announced TLK 400 with a length of 4-6 meters, a range of 1200 km, and a warhead weight of up to 500 kg. Or the TLK 1000 with a length of 4-12 meters, a range of 2000 km, and a payload of 5000 kg," the authors write.

In addition, in August 2023, a test of an underwater drone called"Marichka" was demonstrated. Its length is 6 meters, diameter is 1 meter, and the range is up to 1000 km. In addition, it was stated that the drone can carry more than 1000 kg.

At the same time, experts claim that well-known Ukrainian underwater drone projects are equipped with systems responsible for satellite navigation and communication with the operator.

"We note that the distance of the route for a marine underwater drone to the Crimean Bridge, bypassing the currently occupied Crimea at an adequate distance, is about 650 km. At the same time, the last few kilometers are objectively the most difficult, because it is necessary to take into account the possibility of the Russians placing acoustic sensors, as well as to clearly pass through the fairway without hitting the boom barriers," the authors of the material add.

At the same time, Defense Express does not rule out that if an underwater drone was used for the attack, it could have been installed under the bottom of a ship heading to a Russian port on the Sea of Azov.

In this case, the issue of drone range and autonomy could be addressed. This approach could also help with the issue of acoustic control circumvention.

"But this separates it from the currently known Ukrainian underwater drones, because its task would be to cover a much shorter distance," the publication summarizes.

Attacks on the Crimean Bridge: Chronology

The Russians illegally began construction of the Crimean Bridge in 2016 to connect mainland Russia with temporarily occupied Crimea. The invaders opened the road section of the crossing in 2018, and the rail section in 2019.

With the beginning of the Russian Federation's full-scale war against Ukraine, Crimea was used by the Russians, in particular, as a logistics hub - from there the occupiers transferred forces and resources to southern Ukraine.

For the first time, Ukrainian special services attacked the bridge on October 8, 2022. Then a powerful explosion thundered on the bridge. explosion, which caused the partial collapse of the road spans. The Russians said it was a truck packed with explosives.

Second attack happened in July 2023. Then the SBU's sea drones were successfully used. One of the ferry spans collapsed.

On June 3, the third successful destruction of the facility occurred – this was also the work of the Security Service of Ukraine. The explosive device was activated at 4:44 a.m. Already in the afternoon of June 3, the Russians reported that The bridge is under attack again. .