New details have emerged regarding the October 2022 attack on the Crimea Bridge, a strategic link between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. According to a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant, investigators believe the explosion resulted from a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) containing the explosive force equivalent to 10 tons of TNT.
The 19-kilometer bridge, which carries both road and rail traffic, serves as a vital artery for Russia’s military operations in southern Ukraine. Kyiv has repeatedly vowed to target the structure as it seeks to retake control of Crimea, a region Russia seized in 2014.
The Kommersant report alleges that the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), led by Vasyl Maliuk, played a central role in planning the bridge attack. Investigators reportedly found that the perpetrators concealed solid rocket fuel within reels of polyethylene film, likely detonated on the bridge itself. The exact timing of the device’s construction remains unclear, but Kommersant suggests it occurred no later than August 2022 within Ukrainian territory.
The October 2022 explosion caused significant damage to the bridge, disrupting both civilian and military traffic for weeks. While Russia managed to repair the bridge and reopen it for limited use, the attack served as a major symbolic and logistical blow. The vulnerability of the structure highlighted the potential for further disruptions to Russian military operations in Ukraine.
While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly established a team specifically tasked with destroying the bridge. This aligns with Kyiv’s stated intention to retake Crimea and its open criticism of the bridge as a critical Russian supply route.
The reported use of a 10-ton IED underscores the significant planning and resources likely involved in the operation. Such a powerful device would have required expertise in explosives construction and a high degree of coordination to plant and detonate it successfully.
The bridge attack marked a turning point in the conflict, demonstrating Ukraine’s willingness to strike behind Russian lines and its growing capability to disrupt critical infrastructure. The incident also served as a stark reminder of the war’s potential to escalate further, with both sides possessing the capacity to inflict significant damage on the other.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the status of the Crimea Bridge remains a point of contention. While Russia has repaired the bridge for limited use, its full functionality is likely compromised. Continued Ukrainian threats to target the structure raise concerns about further disruptions to Russian logistics and the potential for renewed escalation in the region.
