Ukraine’s Security Service Strikes Again: Crimean Bridge Rocked by Underwater Sabotage

· Guy D. McCardle

Here we see the Kursk Strait Bridge in 2023. It connects the Russian mainland with the Crimean Peninsula and has been the target of numerous attacks in recent years. Image Credit: The New York Times

The Bridge That Won’t Die

At precisely 4:44 a.m. on June 3, 2025, a thunderous underwater explosion shattered the pre-dawn stillness over the Kerch Strait. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the blast that severely damaged the underwater supports of the $3 billion Crimean Bridge—Putin’s pet project and logistical lifeline to occupied Crimea. This marks the third time Kyiv has struck the bridge since the full-scale war began in 2022. 

The SBU’s statement was as cold and calculated as the operation itself: “The SBU conducted a new unique special operation and struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time—this time underwater.” The agency revealed that over 1,100 kilograms of explosives had been stealthily planted over several months, culminating in a blast that left the bridge in an “emergency state.” 

 

Operation Spiderweb: A Prelude to Destruction

This latest act of sabotage follows closely on the heels of “Operation Spiderweb,” a daring Ukrainian drone offensive that targeted four Russian airfields deep within enemy territory. Utilizing 117 low-cost drones, Ukraine managed to destroy or disable 41 Russian bombers, inflicting an estimated $7 billion in damages. The operation showcased Ukraine’s evolving asymmetric warfare tactics, reminiscent of World War II-style deep strikes behind enemy lines. 

The timing of these operations is no coincidence. They occurred just days before renewed peace talks in Istanbul, signaling Ukraine’s intent to negotiate from a position of strength. President Volodymyr Zelensky, overseeing these operations, seems to be channeling the spirit of Churchill, striking deep into enemy territory to disrupt and demoralize.

The Man Behind the Curtain: Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk

Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk is the kind of wartime leader who doesn’t just sit behind a desk and shuffle papers—he gets his hands dirty. Since officially taking the reins of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in February 2023, after serving in an acting capacity from July 2022, Malyuk has turned the agency into a battlefield instrument. He’s personally directed some of Ukraine’s most daring strikes against Russia, often getting so close to the action you’d think he was defusing the bombs himself. Under his leadership, the SBU has become an elite strike force that blends old-school spycraft with cutting-edge tactics.

Take the Crimean Bridge, for example—that $3 billion Russian vanity project. Malyuk oversaw the October 2022 explosion that tore through the bridge like a hot knife through butter, cutting off a vital supply route for Putin’s war machine. He didn’t stop there. The man’s also masterminded maritime drone attacks in the Black Sea, using remote-controlled aquatic bombs like the “Sea Baby”—which, by the way, soldiers nicknamed after him. That’s not a joke. When your troops name a weapon after you, you’ve officially entered military folklore.

General Malyuk
Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk

Then there’s Operation Spider’s Web, pulled off just this week. Malyuk unveiled the details like a magician showing how the trick was done. Using wooden boxes rigged to carry kamikaze drones, Ukrainian teams sneaked into Russia, set up mobile launchers, and flew their deadly payloads at Russian airfields, taking out long-range bombers responsible for turning Ukrainian cities into rubble. Every SBU operator made it back home before the drones ever lifted off. Clean, precise, devastating.

He’s also running a shadow war behind enemy lines. That includes assassinations and sabotage hits on Russian officials and collaborators in occupied Ukraine. We’re talking about bombings of enemy offices, hits on oil refineries, and a quiet but relentless purge of Russian influence. Malyuk doesn’t boast about every mission, but when he does, he makes it clear that Ukraine is playing for keeps.

On the home front, he’s been cleaning house—rooting out Russian spies inside Ukraine, even within his own agency. He’s also targeted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church branches tied to the Moscow Patriarchate, accusing them of serving as cover for Russian influence operations. It’s part of a broader counterintelligence campaign that’s as much about holding the line at home as it is about punching Moscow in the teeth abroad.

Malyuk’s statement on the bridge attack was unequivocal:

“We struck the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. So today we continued this tradition underwater. There is no place for any illegal Russian facilities on the territory of our state.”

Bottom line: Vasyl Malyuk is a no-nonsense, results-driven operator who’s transformed the SBU into one of the most lethal arms of Ukraine’s resistance. He’s not out there giving speeches or taking victory laps—he’s planning the next strike. And for Russia, that’s a nightmare with a Ukrainian flag stitched on it.

Strategic Implications: More Than Just a Bridge

The Crimean Bridge is more than a hunk of steel and concrete stretching across the Kerch Strait—it’s a strategic pressure point, and Ukraine keeps pushing it. With the latest underwater attack hammering the bridge’s support structures, the message is clear: this isn’t some random strike. It’s part of a calculated campaign to choke off Russia’s war machine where it hurts.

Let’s talk logistics first. This bridge is Russia’s main highway into Crimea, their supply artery for troops, tanks, fuel—everything needed to keep the fight going in southern Ukraine. Every time Ukraine blasts it, Russia’s supply lines get twisted into a knot. They’re forced to reroute through longer, sketchier paths—like ferries across the water or narrow roads hugging the southern coastline. That’s slow, vulnerable, and inefficient. It means Russian troops down south have to make do with less and wait longer to get the gear they need.

Then you’ve got the operational headaches. When that bridge is out of commission, moving heavy equipment—artillery, armored vehicles, logistics trucks—gets a whole lot harder. That slows down Russian military operations, stretches their resources thin, and makes it tougher to reinforce front-line units. Bottom line: every time Ukraine targets the bridge, they’re hitting Russia where it counts.

But this goes way beyond supply lines and concrete. That bridge is a symbol—of Russian control, of Putin’s personal legacy. Remember, he made a big deal about opening that bridge in 2018. It was supposed to scream, “Crimea is ours now.” So, when Ukraine blows holes in it—not once, not twice, but three times—it sends a loud, defiant message. It dents the Kremlin’s pride and punches a hole in their propaganda. For Ukraine, hitting the bridge is more than a military move—it’s a declaration that the occupation is not permanent, and they’re not backing down.

Of course, Russia doesn’t just sit around after getting hit. After each attack, they’ve dumped millions into repairs and ramped up the security with more air defenses, anti-drone tech, and steel barriers. They’re throwing everything at this bridge to keep it standing. That shows just how important it is to them—and how nervous they are about losing it.

There’s also the risk of escalation. Historically, every time Ukraine smacks the bridge, Russia answers with missile strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. It’s a brutal tit-for-tat cycle. One side attacks, the other retaliates. That’s the tightrope this war is balancing on—strategic strikes that risk full-blown retaliation.

From Ukraine’s perspective, the Crimean Bridge is fair game. It’s a military target that directly feeds the Russian war effort. Knocking it out weakens Russian operations, plain and simple. And beyond that, these attacks serve as a powerful bit of psychological warfare. Ukraine is proving that they can hit high-value targets deep inside Russian-controlled territory—and that shakes up the Kremlin’s narrative of control.

Here’s the nutshell: for Russia, the bridge is a lifeline and a symbol of dominance. For Ukraine, it’s both a bullseye and a morale booster. Every time they damage it, they disrupt enemy logistics, challenge Russian authority, and remind the world that Crimea is still contested territory. As long as that bridge stands, it’ll remain a high-value target—and Ukraine’s SBU will be keeping it in their crosshairs.

 

The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Resolve

As the war grinds on, Ukraine’s recent operations indicate a shift towards more aggressive and unconventional tactics. The use of underwater explosives and drone swarms reflects a strategic adaptation to the realities of modern warfare. These actions serve both tactical and symbolic purposes, aiming to weaken Russian military capabilities and erode the perceived legitimacy of their occupation.

While the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, Ukraine’s resolve is evident. Through calculated strikes and strategic ingenuity, Ukraine continues to assert its sovereignty and challenge the status quo, one explosive charge at a time.