In a defiant statement, the head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, has declared that Kyiv has "plenty of surprises" in store for the strategic Kerch Strait Bridge. Maliuk asserted that the bridge, which serves as a crucial supply route for Russia's forces and is the sole land link between Russia and annexed Crimea, is "doomed" and will be destroyed by Ukraine.

The Kerch Strait Bridge, a 19-kilometer (12-mile) road and rail infrastructure, has been targeted twice by Ukrainian forces. According to satellite photos obtained by Newsweek, the railway section was damaged by the second strike. Ukraine's aggressive actions towards the bridge are seen as part of its broader counteroffensive strategy to reclaim occupied territories, including Crimea.

During the premiere of the television documentary series titled "SBU, the Special Operations of Victory," Maliuk emphasized Ukraine's success in challenging Russia's military might. He stated, "There will be many surprises in the future. And not only regarding the Crimean bridge. The bridge is doomed. We have destroyed the myth of Russian invincibility. The country is a fake."

Retired Colonel Yuri Knutov, the director of the Museum of Air Defense Forces, dismissed Maliuk's threats, believing them to be mere bluffs. He stated that "the majority of Ukrainians do not believe in these fairy tales."

The Kerch Strait Bridge has become a significant security burden for Moscow, according to the British Defense Ministry. While the bridge remains operational, its usage is limited due to the precautionary measures implemented after the initial Ukrainian attack in October 2022. Trucks and fuel supplies continue to be moved via ferries. The U.K. officials further noted that the bridge now imposes a significant security burden on Russia and requires multi-domain protection, including air defense systems.

The animosity between Ukraine and Russia shows no signs of abating, with Ukraine's SBU chief boldly proclaiming the imminent destruction of the Kerch Strait Bridge. It remains to be seen how this latest threat will impact the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the intricacies of supply and military operations in the region.

Newsweek has reached out to Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment on the matter. As tension escalates between the two nations, world news consumers are urged to monitor developments in this increasingly volatile situation.

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