Ukraine launched a major underwater attack on the Kerch Bridge on Wednesday, damaging part of its support structure. The bridge links Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia has occupied since 2014. It is one of the most important routes for moving Russian weapons and troops into southern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s security service confirmed the operation and said they had planned it for months. Over one ton of explosives was used in the underwater blast. The bridge, which is 12 miles long, was opened by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018. This is the third time since 2022 that Ukraine has hit the structure.
After the attack, road traffic on the bridge was stopped for several hours. Ukrainian officials said the bridge is a military target because Russia uses it to support its ongoing war effort. A video released by the Ukrainian security service showed a strong blast under the bridge, leaving visible damage.
The bridge attack happened just after Ukraine carried out drone strikes on several Russian airbases. According to reports, about one-third of Russia’s long-range bombers were damaged. These aircraft are often used to launch missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. Experts say this could reduce Russia’s ability to carry out large-scale airstrikes in the near future.
At the same time, Russia blamed Ukraine for two train crashes inside Russian territory. The crashes happened after explosions destroyed railway bridges. Seven people died, and over 100 were injured, including several children. Russian officials called the attacks acts of terrorism. Ukraine did not confirm if it was involved in the train incidents.
While Ukraine was targeting Russian bases, Russia launched a missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy in the northeast. The strike killed four people and injured 25 others. Local authorities reported that homes and public buildings were damaged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike was more proof that Russia is not interested in ending the war.
Talks between Ukraine and Russia were recently held in Istanbul. However, the meeting produced no major breakthroughs. Russia rejected Ukraine’s demand for a full ceasefire. Instead, it suggested a short pause in fighting in certain areas. Both sides agreed to a large prisoner exchange and shared different versions of peace proposals.
One of Russia’s demands is for Ukrainian forces to leave four regions that Moscow claims to have annexed. Ukraine has refused, saying those areas are still part of its national territory. A spokesperson from the Kremlin said that the conflict is complex and that people should not expect fast progress in peace efforts.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials arrived in the United States to ask for more sanctions on Russia and discuss defense aid. Their visit comes ahead of the NATO summit later this month. President Zelenskyy confirmed he will attend the summit. He said the invitation shows that Ukraine still has the support of its global allies.
Western countries, including the United States and the European Union, continue to send aid to Ukraine. This includes weapons, training, and financial support. The underwater attack on the Kerch Bridge shows that Ukraine still has the ability to carry out strategic strikes. It also sends a strong signal that Ukraine can hit deep inside Russian-controlled territory.
As the war continues, Ukraine is expected to keep targeting Russian military infrastructure. At the same time, global attention remains focused on diplomatic efforts, sanctions, and international support.