Major Strike on Strategic Bridge
On June 3, 2025, Ukraine’s SBU security service executed a daring underwater attack on the Kerch Bridge, a vital link between Russia and occupied Crimea, sparking global headlines. The strike, using 1,100kg of TNT, severely damaged the bridge’s supports, trending on X as a bold move in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This third attack since 2022 underscores the bridge’s symbolic and logistical significance, drawing attention from India and beyond.
Underwater Explosion Rocks Kerch
The SBU’s operation, planned for months, targeted the 12-mile Kerch Bridge’s underwater supports, causing structural damage and halting traffic, per The Guardian. Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, SBU head, called it a “legitimate target” due to its role as a Russian military supply route, per Express.co.uk. A video of the blast, shared by the SBU, went viral on X, amplifying the strike’s impact.
History of Attacks on the Bridge
The Kerch Bridge, opened by Vladimir Putin in 2018, has been hit twice before—in 2022 with a truck bomb and in 2023 with drones, per The New York Times. Each attack disrupted Russia’s supply lines to Crimea, annexed in 2014. Ukraine’s repeated targeting, as noted by Newsweek, aims to weaken Moscow’s grip, with Malyuk hinting at more strikes to come.
Russia’s Response and Claims
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have repelled the attack, downing Ukrainian drones and maintaining the bridge’s functionality. However, local reports confirmed the bridge’s closure and ferry services halted. Russian media described the attack as ongoing, with “hysterical” sources noting breached barriers, highlighting the bridge’s vulnerability.
Environmental and Strategic Fallout
The Kerch Strait, a critical shipping route, faced environmental risks after a December 2024 oil spill from two Russian tankers, per Al Jazeera. The latest attack raises concerns about further ecological damage, with BBC Verify noting prior oil slicks in the region. Strategically, the bridge’s damage weakens Russia’s military logistics in southern Ukraine, per The Independent.
Global and Indian Relevance
The Kerch Bridge attack resonates globally, including in India, where geopolitical tensions and infrastructure security are closely watched. The strike’s timing, amid Ukraine-Russia peace talks, signals Kyiv’s defiance against Russian demands for territorial concessions, per The Independent. Indian analysts see parallels with regional security dynamics, especially India’s border disputes, making this a topic of interest.
Challenges for Ukraine
Executing such a high-risk operation required months of planning, with Ukrainian engineers adapting drones to counter Russian defenses, per Newsweek. The bridge’s S-500 air defense regiment, deployed in January 2025, posed a challenge, per Eurasiantimes.com. Yet, Ukraine’s success highlights its military ingenuity, though it risks Russian retaliation.
Russian Perspective and Criticism
Russian sources, like RWApodcast, argue the bridge has limited military utility now, with Moscow relying on alternative routes. Critics on X question Ukraine’s focus on symbolic targets over battlefield gains, per @witte_sergei. However, Ukraine’s SBU insists the bridge remains a critical artery, justifying the strike as a blow to Putin’s prestige.
What’s Next for Kerch Bridge
The attack leaves the Kerch Bridge in a “state of disrepair,” per Daily Mail, with Ukraine hinting at further operations. Russia may reinforce defenses or accelerate repairs, as it did after 2022 and 2023 strikes. The outcome of ongoing peace talks, noted by The Guardian, could influence future actions, with global eyes on whether Ukraine escalates or shifts focus to other fronts.
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