Ukraine scores another embarrassing Putin blow

In another humiliation for Vladimir Putin, Ukraine has detonated a bomb on a key bridge which is one of Moscow’s flagship projects.

Days after claiming it wiped out scores of bomber aircraft at bases across Russia, Ukraine has dealt another blow to Vladimir Putin striking – again – a key bridge to occupied Crimea.

On Tuesday, local time, Kyiv claimed responsibility for an explosion on one of the supports of the Kerch Bridge.

The bridge, a pet project of Putin’s, links Crimea to Russia across the Kerch Strait. Crimea, which is part of Ukraine and located on the Black Sea, has been under Russian occupation since 2014.

Ukraine has proved how vulnerable Russia is in Crimea which only has a small physical connection to Moscow invaded mainland Ukraine. It has successfully used the conflict to push most of Russia’s Black Sea fleet away from Crimea which has lessened attacks on its cities and ports.

A picture taken on July 17, 2023 shows a Russian warship sailing near the Kerch bridge, linking the Russian mainland to Crimea. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

Kyiv’s SBU secret service said it had “conducted a new unique special operation and hit the Crimean Bridge for the third time — this time underwater”.

It said it had detonated more than 1000 kilograms of explosive material planted to one of the bridge’s underwater pillars.

It published footage showing a blast coming out of the water and debris flying, along with a photo of some damage to the side of the bridge.

Authorities in Russia said the bridge had been closed following the detonation.

However, the damage seemed to be less than might have been hoped for. The bridge appeared to be in operation as normal on Tuesday afternoon.

This video grab taken from a handout footage released by the Ukrainian Security Service on June 3, 2025, allegedly shows the explosion of the Kerch Bridge. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN SECURITY SERVICE / AFP)

Image allegedly shows people inspecting damage to the Kerch Bridge. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN SECURITY SERVICE / AFP)

Russian state media reported it had been temporarily closed to traffic for around four hours earlier on Tuesday.

Ukraine says the bridge is a legitimate target as it used to move troops and military equipment for its invasion.

Away from Crimea, Russia is reportedly making gains in the northern Ukraine region of Sumy which borders Russia’s Kursk region.

Moscow is said to have captured a number of villages aided by so called “fibre optic drones”. These are controlled via a fibre optic wire that dangles for kilometres from the drone back to the controller – like an incredibly long kite – and so are not vulnerable to electronic jamming.

If its advance continues it could bring more weaponry within range of Sumy city.

Putin has said he wants to create a “buffer zone” in the area. Russia’s “buffer zones” never involve creating that buffer within its own territory – just Ukraine’s.

Originally published as Ukraine scores another embarrassing Putin blow