'Putin's Pride' Crimean Bridge Attack... It Was a Ukrainian Underwater Drone

Ukraine's Indigenous Developed Water Drone 'Sea Baby'
Confirms Attacks on Crimean Bridge and Russian Ships

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced that it attacked the Crimean Bridge, known as 'Putin's pride,' last month.

The remotely controlled surface drone 'Sea Baby' developed by Ukraine.
[Photo source=CNN broadcast screen capture]

According to foreign media including the British daily The Guardian and the US CNN on the 16th (local time), Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SBU, revealed footage showing two remotely controlled surface drones, developed in-house, attacking the Crimean Bridge connecting the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and mainland Russia on the 17th of last month. Maliuk stated, "Such attacks will continue in the future."

The released footage included closed-circuit television (CCTV) videos capturing the moment one of the two underwater drones collided with a pillar of the Crimean Bridge and the explosion immediately after the impact, as well as underwater drone camera footage from the operator's perspective showing the strike on a Russian vessel.

'Sea Baby' Equipped with 850kg Warhead Attacks Crimean Bridge and Russian Vessels

On the 16th (local time), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released a video through the US CNN showing the strike on the Crimean Bridge using a self-developed water drone on the 17th of last month. [Video source=CNN broadcast screen capture]

Maliuk stated that the SBU independently developed the drone, called 'Sea Baby,' without the involvement of any private companies.

It is reported that during the Crimean Bridge attack last month, this drone was equipped with an 850kg warhead.

Maliuk acknowledged, "We successfully attacked the Crimean Bridge recently using this drone," and admitted that earlier this month, the drone also struck the Russian tanker SIG and the landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak.

Maliuk explained that the Crimean Bridge attack was carried out after months of preparation and that the SBU conducted the operation jointly with the Ukrainian Navy.

He said, "We were fully focused on the operation, and the last day was very tense," adding, "When the explosion occurred on the Crimean Bridge, we were so happy that we started congratulating each other."

He continued, "It was a very moving moment for all of us, and we were confident of victory in the upcoming war."

Ukraine Acknowledges Crimean Bridge Attack for the First Time... Analysis Suggests It Was to Demonstrate Drone Capability and Send a 'Warning Message'

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that it attacked a Russian vessel earlier this month using a domestically developed surface drone. The pilot's perspective video shows the moment the surface drone collides with the massive ship before the screen goes dark. [Video source=CNN broadcast capture]

Until now, Russia had claimed that the Crimean Bridge was attacked by Ukraine, but this is the first time Ukrainian authorities have directly admitted it.

Foreign media analyzed, "The SBU's acknowledgment of the Crimean Bridge attack appears to be aimed at sending a warning message to Russia by revealing the capabilities of the new drone."

Earlier, Russian authorities reported that the Crimean Bridge was attacked by two Ukrainian drones on the 17th of last month. The attack damaged the road surface of the bridge and resulted in the deaths of two civilians.

This bridge is the only direct connection between mainland Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, and President Putin showed great attachment by personally driving a truck to the opening ceremony in 2018.

Russia labeled the attack as 'terrorism,' stating, "Ukrainian special agencies carried out this attack," and Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "A terrorist act targeting the Crimean Bridge has occurred," adding that he is preparing retaliation against Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.