• Ukraine has conducted an underwater operation targeting the Crimean Bridge, causing significant damage.
• The operation used 1,100 kg of explosives to damage underwater pillars of the strategic bridge.
• This marks the third attack on the bridge since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has announced that it has struck the Kerch Bridge, a key supply route linking mainland Russia with the annexed Crimean Peninsula, using underwater explosives. The operation, which involved the planting of 1,100 kg of explosives, was meticulously planned over several months. The first explosive was detonated at 4:44 a.m. local time on Tuesday, reportedly without causing civilian casualties, according to The New York Times.

The SBU's statement emphasizes that the bridge is a legitimate target due to its use as a logistical route for Russian forces. "No illegal Russian facilities have a place on the territory of our state," stated SBU Chairman Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk. The agency shared a video of the aftermath, which shows the significant impact on the bridge, leading to claims that it is now in a state of emergency, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.

Despite the SBU's claims, Russian military bloggers have expressed skepticism, suggesting the attack may have been less effective than reported and speculating that an underwater drone was used to strike only a protective barrier around one of the bridge's pylons. Traffic on the bridge was temporarily halted for several hours following the incident, which is significant given the structure's role in supplying Russian troops, according to Newsweek and The Hill.

This attack comes just days after Ukraine launched an extensive aerial operation targeting Russian air bases, showcasing its growing military capabilities. The Crimean Bridge, opened by President Vladimir Putin in 2018, stands as a symbol of Russian control over Crimea and has been previously targeted in similar operations, making this third strike part of an ongoing effort to disrupt Russian logistics, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The Crimean Bridge, stretching 19 kilometers (12 miles) across the Kerch Strait, is crucial for transporting military supplies, and any disruption to its operations is likely to affect Russian military logistics significantly, as indicated by India Times and India Times.