Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) says it has managed to strike the Crimean bridge with underwater explosives following an operation lasting “several months.”

The explosion followed an operation lasting “several months”, Kyiv’s security service says; Moscow has yet to comment.

SSU has released a video which purports to show the moment an explosion damaged the bridge.

It was released alongside a statement describing the operation, which says explosives damaged the bridge’s underwater support structures.

The SSU head supervised the operation and coordinated its planning. At 4:44 am on Tuesday, June 3, the first explosive device was detonated. There were no civilian casualties.

A total of 1,100 kg of explosives was used. “The bridge is effectively in an emergency condition,” the agency stated.

According to the statement, Ukraine has attacked the bridge twice before, in 2022 and 2023.

“Previously, we struck the Crimean Bridge twice in 2022 and 2023. Today, we continued this tradition from underwater. No illegal Russian facilities have a place on the territory of our state. Therefore, the Crimean Bridge is an absolutely legitimate target, especially since the enemy used it as a logistics artery to supply its troops,” the head of the Security Service of Ukraine claimed in his statement.

The SSU 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.

Shipping Telegraph cannot immediately verify the report of the SSU. Shipping Telegraph was not also able to independently verify when the video was filmed.

In Vilnius, president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for the first time with the new president of Romania, Nicușor Dan. The president of Romania assured that Ukraine can count on continued assistance and support for its EU and NATO membership.

Zelenskyy briefed his counterpart on the recent meeting in Istanbul, noting that while the talks unfortunately did not bring steps closer to peace, there was an agreement on a prisoner exchange and the return of the bodies of the fallen, something of great importance to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stressed the need to increase sanctions against Russia in order to deprive Moscow of opportunities to expand its military production and continue the war.

Zelenskyy held also a meeting with prime minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss continued support for Ukraine, including strengthening air defense, direct investments in Ukraine’s defense industry, and the importance of increasing pressure on Russia.

Special attention was paid to the need to strengthen sanctions against Russia. The president of Ukraine and the prime minister of Norway share the view that sanctions will be most effective if coordinated between the United States, Europe, and other countries.

Video credit: Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU)