Two Years Ago, Ukraine Carried Out Its Legendary Crimean Bridge Operation

Here’s how it happened.

On the morning of October 8, 2022, around 6:05 am, a powerful explosion rocked the Crimean Bridge. At the same moment, a train carrying flammable materials passed by on the adjacent railway track, igniting a fire that engulfed it as well.

The Crimean Bridge serves as a crucial part of the transportation infrastructure for military operations involved in the invasion of southern Ukraine. The bridge's road section had been utilized for military transport since 2018, prior to the opening of the rail section.

The explosion severely damaged the bridge's roadway, with some sections collapsing into the sea, leading to a complete halt of traffic. This disruption resulted in a transport collapse, with hundreds of trucks and cars caught in multi-kilometer traffic jams. The only route to Crimea became the ferry service, which struggled to cope with the overwhelming demand.

In July 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) officially acknowledged its involvement in the attack on the Crimean Bridge in 2022.

The special operation severed the logistical artery through which weapons and ammunition were funneled into Ukraine. It marked only the beginning: a second strike on the bridge followed, executed with Ukrainian sea drones known as Sea Baby , and was soon followed by the destruction of oil refineries, missile depots, and airfields in Russia.

Second Crimean Bridge operation

At least two explosions were heard on the Crimean Bridge in the night of July 17, 2023.

The Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, explained that five Sea Baby marine drones, remotely controlled from Kyiv, were involved in the attack on the Crimean Bridge on July 17. Two of them reached the bridge and struck its supports. The other three marine drones ran out of fuel on the way and had to self-destruct.

This special operation seriously disrupted the functioning of the 19-kilometer bridge and changed perceptions of Russia's invincibility.

The Russian Federation opened a criminal case following the explosion on the Crimean Bridge under the article "Terrorism." According to their claims, the Crimean Bridge was allegedly attacked in the middle of the night by two Ukrainian surface drones, resulting in further damage.

"At 3:05 AM, an attack on the Crimean Bridge was carried out by two Ukrainian surface drones. As a result of this terrorist act, the roadway of the Crimean Bridge was damaged," the statement said.

Further strikes

Overnight on August 16, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the Crimean Bridge with ATACMS missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. According to the Ministry, 12 ATACMS missiles were fired at the bridge, all of which were allegedly shot down. However, Ukraine has not confirmed or commented the strike.

The Main Intelligence Directorate and the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces regularly destroy Russia’s air defense systems in Crimea, putting the Kerch Bridge at risk. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Strategic Command, around 15 systems were destroyed on the peninsula in just two months in June, including S-300, S-350, and S-400 systems, as well as launchers, radar stations, and command posts.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly emphasized that the bridge is a legitimate target for strikes.

Illegal Kerch Bridge built by Russia “must come down,” says Ukraine at The Hague

“Today, this bridge not only impedes transit passage, but Russia uses this illegal bridge to send a steady stream of military weapons and supplies to the Crimean peninsula,” stated Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anton Korynevych, during his speech at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on September 23.

“The bridge is unlawful, and it must come down. The Kerch Strait should be returned to its status before this illegal threat to navigation began.”