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2025 Crimean Bridge explosion

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Not to be confused with the 2022 Crimean Bridge explosion or the 2023 Crimean Bridge explosion.
2025 Crimean Bridge explosion
Part of the Crimea attacks during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Video of the explosion released by the SBU
Date3 June 2025
Time4:44 a.m. (UTC+03:00)
LocationCrimean Bridge
PerpetratorSecurity Service of Ukraine

On 3 June 2025, an explosion took place near the underwater supports of the Crimean Bridge, connecting the Crimean peninsula with the Russian mainland. The explosion was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine, as a part of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The attack resulted in the closure of the bridge for several hours.

Background

The Crimean Bridge is a pair of bridges which span the Kerch Strait between the Taman Peninsula of Krasnodar Krai in Russia and the Kerch Peninsula of Crimea. It was built by Russia after its annexation of Crimea at the start of 2014, to connect Crimea with the Russian mainland.[1] The 19 km (12 mi) long bridge was opened in 2018.[2] In February 2022, Russia launched its major offensive on Ukraine, resulting in the most deadliest phase of the Russo-Ukrainian War, that has been fought between the countries ever since the Crimean conflict in 2014. The war continued into 2025, with casualties and attacks from both sides.[3][4] Ukraine had already targeted the bridge in two attacks in October 2022 and July 2023, with the bridge continuing to remain in service after the attacks.[5]

Attack

On 3 June 2025, at about 4:44 a.m. local time (UTC+03:00), an explosion occurred near the Crimean Bridge.[5] The attack targeted one of the underwater supports of the bridge. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released a statement along with the video confirming the attack on the bridge. It further stated that mines were laid under the bridge over several months by its agents.[6] As per the report from SBU, explosives equivalent to 1,100 kilograms of TNT was used in the attack.[7] The operation was reportedly planned and coordinated by Vasyl Malyuk, the head of SBU.[8]

Aftermath

Reuters confirmed the location of the video released by the SBU with the aid of satellite imagery, but said that it was not able to verify its authenticity.[7] The SBU claimed that the attack "badly damaged" the bridge supports.[5] A later report by a Russian news channel indicated that a Ukrainian attack targeted one of the piers of the bridge. It further stated that the bridge has not sustained significant damage, and the attack might have been carried out by a Ukrainian underwater drone.[5] Following the attack, Russian news outlets reported that the bridge was temporarily closed until till 7:00 a.m. local time, after which it was opened for regular operations.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Controversial Russia-Crimea bridge opens". BBC News. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  2. ^ Hodge, Nathan. "Russia's bridge to Crimea: A metaphor for the Putin era". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Background, Russo-Ukrainian War". Harvard University. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Ukraine conflict". Global conflict tracker. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d Cole, Brendan; Croucher, Shane (3 June 2025). "Ukraine's SBU damages Crimean Bridge with underwater explosives in third attack". Newsweek. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  6. ^ Abramova, Anett (3 June 2025). "Ukraine's SBU damages Crimean Bridge with underwater explosives in third attack". hromadske.ua. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Ukraine says it hit Russia's bridge to Crimea with underwater explosives". Reuters. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  8. ^ Prots, Anastasiia (3 June 2025). СБУ втретє вразила Кримський міст – цього разу під водою [The SBU hit the Crimean Bridge for the third time – this time underwater]. Ukrainska Pravda (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Ukraine claims to have damaged Russia's bridge to annexed Crimea". Al Jazeera English. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
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