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In a series of powerful explosions on Tuesday, Ukrainian forces attacked the symbolic Crimean Bridge, which connects the annexed peninsula to the Russian mainland. The attacks hit the bridge in both the morning and afternoon, causing damage to its support pillars and leading to temporary closures. However, authorities managed to reopen the bridge after several hours.

The Ukrainian Security Service revealed that months of covert operations had culminated in this attack. Explosives had been planted underwater over several months, and early in the morning, the first device containing the equivalent of 1,100 kg of TNT was detonated. The agency released a statement and accompanying video footage claiming that the underwater support pillars were severely damaged, placing the bridge in an emergency condition. However, these claims have not been independently verified by external sources.

This recent strike marks the third attack on the crimean Bridge since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A previous attack using unmanned sea drones caused significant damage and civilian casualties, leading to prolonged closures of parts of the bridge. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service, stressed that the bridge is a legitimate target due to its use as a logistical artery to supply Russian troops.

This attack follows a significant operation on Sunday where Ukrainian forces targeted Russia's strategic bomber fleet. This operation, overseen by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Lt. Gen. Maliuk, reportedly destroyed at least 12 aircraft including nuclear-capable models like the A-50, Tu-95, Tu-22 M3, and Tu-160. The details of the drone operation remain largely secret.

In the wake of these attacks, there has been no immediate response from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has remained silent, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that an investigation was underway. Despite the severity of these strikes, it appears that Moscow is taking a long-term view of the conflict. A former senior Kremlin official stated that the Kremlin's strategy is to outlast the Ukrainian forces, emphasizing manpower shortages on the Ukrainian side.

The attacks have incited outrage among Russia’s pro-war military bloggers, some of whom likened the episode to Russia's Pearl Harbor. Dmitry Medvedev, the hawkish former Russian president, has promised revenge against Ukraine, vowing that retaliatory attacks will follow.

In addition to these escalations, Russia has launched its own series of drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, increasing the intensity of the ongoing conflict. A recent Russian strike on the city of Sumy resulted in four deaths and 24 injuries.

Despite recent talks in Istanbul, which led to an agreement to swap dead and captured soldiers, there has been no meaningful progress toward ending the war or establishing a ceasefire. Ukrainian negotiators have called for a high-level meeting to advance peace discussions, but Peskov dismissed the idea as unlikely. Russia has presented terms that include significant territorial concessions by Ukraine along with military restrictions, which have been framed by Medvedev as measures to ensure a swift Russian victory.