**Ukraine’s Secret Service Hits Russia’s Strategic Bridge**
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has carried out a daring attack on the Crimean Bridge, a critical supply and transport route for Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territories. This is the third time the bridge has been targeted since 2022.
According to the SBU, agents spent several months preparing the attack, mining the underwater supports of the bridge’s piers. On June 3, at 4:44 am, the first explosive was activated, causing significant damage to the structure. The blast was equivalent to 1,100 kilograms of TNT and severely damaged the underwater supports.
The SBU claims that no civilian casualties were reported during the attack. However, Russia’s Defense Ministry has stated that three Ukrainian drones were downed over Crimea overnight on June 3.
**A Symbolic Target**
The Crimean Bridge is a $4 billion project that holds significant symbolic value for Russia. Constructed after the Kremlin’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the bridge was designed to affirm Russian control over the peninsula. The bridge’s destruction could be seen as a major blow to Russia’s efforts to maintain its grip on occupied Ukrainian territories.
**Previous Attacks**
This is not the first time the Crimean Bridge has been targeted by Ukraine. In October 2022 and July 2023, previous attacks caused significant damage to the structure, but it remained operational. The SBU’s latest attack raises questions about the bridge’s stability and its ability to maintain traffic.
**A Major Operation**
The operation was personally supervised by Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the SBU. This level of coordination and planning suggests a high degree of sophistication on Ukraine’s part.
As the situation develops, one thing is clear: this attack has significant implications for Russia’s military efforts in occupied Ukrainian territories. The Kyiv Independent will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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