Ukraine launches three kamikaze marine drones on Putin’s beloved £3bn Crimea Bridge in daring attack

UKRAINE launched a string of bold new attacks to blow up Putin’s prized £3billion bridge link to annexed Crimea.

Moscow claimed three semi-submersible kamikaze marine drones were intercepted and destroyed while headed towards the vital bridge overnight.

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The unmanned drones were intercepted by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, according to the Defence Ministry in Moscow.

The crossing was briefly closed and large traffic jams have been seen on both sides of the bridge.

Rybar Telegram channel claimed one of the drones may have been seeking to target a Russian patrol ship.

The Ukrainian sea drone reportedly tried to hide among ships at the anchorage within the Kerch Strait, but was tracked and destroyed before it could reach its target.

Russia has boasted about improving its surveillance of drone activity around Crimea, following previous strikes on their beloved bridge.

The Russian defence ministry said: “The Black Sea Fleet has set up constant monitoring of the situation in the Black Sea through all types of reconnaissance.”

The Ukrainians have twice successfully attacked the 12-mile-long bridge built which was inaugurated by the dictator five years ago.

And they have vowed to keep seeking to cause irreparable damage to the crossing.

In July, two were killed when a suspected sea drone attack sparked and huge blast that bought down parts of the bridge.

Two blasts rang out on the 12-mile crossing as hordes of motorists travelled across it.

Dramatic images showed mangled and contorted metal barriers on the warped roadway.

The Crimean Bridge was also badly damaged last October in a powerful blast that Russian officials said was caused by a truck that blew up while crossing the bridge, killing three people.

Ukraine’s SBU domestic intelligence agency later claimed responsibility for the sabotage operation.

The bridge, which is the only direct link between mainland Russia and the peninsula, is often referred to as Putin’s “pride and joy”.

And the impressive bridge is key for Russian supplies and tourist traffic to the spectacular peninsula.

Russia has been vocally encouraging people to flock to the Black Sea peninsula for summer – despite it being in the war zone.

But Ukrainian Telegram channel Crimean Wind had warned Russians to avoid travelling to Crimea, which was annexed by Putin in 2014.

It explained that ferries on the same route as the disputed peninsula are also “legitimate targets.”

“The fact that you should not go to the Crimea at all, we warned even earlier,” said the post.

“Now all cars are turning around on both sides of the bridge. There are two options: either on the ferry or home.

“And the two ‘ferries’, we recall, are large [naval] landing ships, which are also legitimate targets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

It followed a warning from the Ukrainian Defence Ministry in early July, which reminded people of the risk of attacks in Crimea.

The message stated: “Big plans this summer? A travel advisory is in effect for certain beaches.

“We warned you last summer to stay away from Crimea.”

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