Naval Magura drones were used in the strike on the Crimean Bridge

Naval Magura drones were used in the strike on the Crimean Bridge. Participation in the sea drone sabotage may indicate joint actions by the SBU and the HUR.

Following the sabotage operation by the Security Service of Ukraine on the Crimean Bridge in the Kerch Strait, a Magura V7 sea drone equipped with anti-aircraft missiles was discovered. This was reported on Tuesday, June 3, by the portal Militarnyi, citing pro-Russian Telegram channels.

According to reports, a video of the interception of the Ukrainian sea drone appeared on one of the Russian Telegram channels.

Russian reconnaissance UAV operators detected an air defense drone equipped with AIM-9M missiles shortly after the SBU blew up one of the bridge pillars using a large explosive charge.

Subsequently, the Russian occupiers deployed a Lancet loitering munition to intercept the target. The enemy strike system hit the bow section of the sea drone, causing it to stop.

Militarnyi suggests that the involvement of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) in the sea drone sabotage may indicate joint actions by the two Ukrainian agencies, with the Group 13 maritime drone unit possibly responsible for support and cover.

“The appearance of these drones may also indirectly support the version that the Crimean Bridge pillars were destroyed by an underwater unmanned vehicle, rather than a conventional mounted charge,” the article states.

Attacks on the Crimean bridge – what is known

On October 8, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully attacked the Kerch Bridge for the first time. Russia had been using the bridge as a logistical artery to supply its occupying forces. As a result of the explosion, two road spans of the bridge partially collapsed, and the railway branch caught fire while fuel tankers were present.

The second attack on the Kerch Bridge occurred on July 17, 2023. The explosion caused the collapse of one of the bridge spans.

In August of the same year, it was reported that the Russians sank several barges along the Crimean Bridge, hoping to protect the illegal structure from Ukrainian surface drone attacks.

On June 3, 2025, the SBU struck the Crimean Bridge for the third time, this time underwater. According to the agency, the “first explosive device” was activated at 4:44 AM, severely damaging the underwater support structures at the seabed level. The agency stated that the bridge is now essentially in an emergency condition.

It is noted that the sabotage operation had been in preparation for several months. During the preparations, 1,100 kg of explosives (TNT equivalent) were planted at the structure’s supports.

Iryna Olishchuk

EMPR

Tags: naval magura drones russia - ukraine war the crimean bridge ukraine war