SBU Crimean Bridge strike video required complex preparations — Defense Express

Valery Ryabykh, military expert and development director at Defense Express, shared the information on Espreso TV.
 “The SBU said in an official statement that on June 3, after months of planning, they set off an explosive device at 4:44 a.m. The SBU also released video of the operation. Filming this alone required complex steps. They likely hacked into the Russian video network protecting the bridge or installed their own cameras. Documenting such an operation is a major challenge,” Ryabykh said.

According to him, the SBU’s official statement confirms this was an intelligence operation that enabled them to place an explosive device about 10 meters deep at the base of one of the Crimean Bridge’s central supports.

“The explosion was carefully planned to target the bridge’s weakest point — where the support meets the piles embedded in the unstable soil of the Kerch Strait. Since the soil is unstable, the support relies on several piles. Such a blast could seriously weaken the support. The SBU said this structure is likely in an emergency state now. This deal a major blow to the enemy’s military logistics,” the military expert explained.

He said planting explosives equal to 1,100 kg of TNT is very difficult to do with agents.

“Since there are more powerful explosives available, the actual weight might have been closer to 500 kg. Some experts now speculate that an underwater guided drone, like the previously shown Marichka, could have been used,” Ryabykh concluded.

Previous attacks on the Crimean Bridge

On October 8, 2022, the Russian-installed authorities reported a fire on the Crimean Bridge in Kerch after an attack.

On May 27, SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk said the Ukrainian Armed Forces had taken “certain measures” at that time but didn’t share details.

On July 17, 2023, explosions were heard again near the Crimean Bridge. The Russian-installed authorities called it an “emergency,” reporting damage to the road surface and two deaths.

The Security Service of Ukraine said they would reveal all details about the Crimean Bridge explosion only after Ukraine wins the war. At the end of July 2023, Malyuk officially confirmed that the Security Service of Ukraine carried out the attack.

On June 3, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a new unique special operation and struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time — this time underwater. As a result, the facility is in an emergency condition.