The moment a Ukrainian experimental kamikaze drone hit Vladimir Putin’s £3 billion bridge connecting Russia to Crimea and caused a massive explosion has been revealed for the first time.
Ukraine’s SBU secret service today shared video of the daring attack by the ‘Sea Baby’ drone that saw massive explosions rip through the 20km crossing last month.
The images, seen by CNNshows the naval kamikaze drone, armed with up to 850 kg of explosives, sailing towards the bridge under cover of darkness before crashing into the intersection, sending debris flying through the air.
Separate images released by the SBU and Ukrainian sources showed the magnitude of the blast from other angles as the attack hit the intersection which has separate road and rail links.
It is the first time that the SBU has openly claimed responsibility for the attack carried out by the Ukrainian navy.
The footage, seen by CNN, shows the naval kamikaze drone, armed with up to 850kg of explosives, making its way to the bridge (pictured) under cover of darkness before crashing into the intersection, sending debris flying through the air
Ukraine’s SBU secret service today shared video of the daring attack by the ‘Sea Baby’ drone that saw massive explosions rip through the 12-mile crossing last month
Separate images released by the SBU and Ukrainian sources showed the magnitude of the explosion from other angles as the attack hit the intersection that has separate road and rail links
In the photo: the damage caused by the sea drone on the Crimean Bridge
The new images appear to show that Russian defenses failed to detect two drones, Agenttvo reported.
One is approaching the road crossing and a second apparently exploded on the track section as a train crossed. It is known that there is less damage to the rail section of the bridge.
The new ‘Sea Baby’ drone has been in development for months and SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk warned Moscow of more attacks. Ukraine today released images from the naval drone for the first time.
The deadly unmanned boat was loaded with up to 850 kg of explosives when it exploded.
The Ukrainian-designed marine drone — reportedly built without Western help — was also used to attack two Russian ships — the assault ship Olengorskiy Gornyak and tanker SIG, putting both out of action.
‘We are working on a number of new interesting operations, including in the Black Sea. I promise you, it will be exciting, especially for our enemies,” Maliuk told CNN.
“Sea surface drones are a unique invention of the security service of Ukraine.”
He explained: “With these drones we recently carried out a successful attack on the Crimean Bridge, the large assault ship Olengorskiy Gornyak and the SIG tanker.”
Both ships were hit by a drone strike this month, causing large wounds in their sides and are now out of commission.
A couple were killed and their 14-year-old daughter was seriously injured after the blasts at the Crimean Bridge, a key supply line for Russian troops fighting in Ukraine and a prestige project personally opened by Putin.
Part of the crossing was destroyed in the twin attack, with pictures of twisted metal barriers, debris and a damaged car dealing a major blow to Moscow’s war effort.
Dashcam footage showed drivers braking sharply after the explosions destroyed parts of the intersection and sent debris flying towards them.
Pictured: The ‘Sea Baby’ kamikaze drone used in the attack on the Crimean bridge
Pictured: The ‘Sea Baby’ kamikaze drone used in the attack on the Crimean bridge
Parts of the bridge are missing alongside twisted metal barriers after the strikes
Pictured: the damaged Crimean bridge after a drone strike on Monday
Russian detectives and members of emergency services gather at a wrecked car on the Crimean bridge after the July 17 explosions
Speaking of the attack on the bridge, Maliuk said: ‘In the final stages of preparation, we couldn’t even think about sleeping or eating… We were completely concentrated on the operation.
“The last few days have been quite nervous. When the explosion happened, we were so happy and started congratulating each other.
“This was a very emotional moment for all of us and our victory, which will surely come soon.”
Maliuk stressed that Ukraine’s western partners are not involved in Kiev’s attacks on the Russian-built bridge opened by Putin in 2018, or warships.
It comes after the Kremlin blamed Britain and the US for orchestrating the drone attack on the bridge – without providing any evidence to support their outlandish claims.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack with the involvement of Britain and the US.
Maliuk said the bridge connecting Russia to Crimea is a “legitimate” target for Ukraine.
The new ‘Sea Baby’ drone has been in development for months and SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk (pictured) warned Moscow of more attacks
Pictured: Workers repair the bridge connecting Russia to Crimea after the July 17 drone strike
Pictured: Investigators collect debris near the bridge connecting Russia to Crimea after the July 17 drone strike
The SBU chief also claimed responsibility for an earlier attack on the bridge on October 8 last year involving a truck, but declined to give details.
The attack on the Crimean Bridge enraged Russian politicians, with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev saying Putin should “blow up” the homes of Ukrainians in response to the drone attack.
A ranting Medvedev said at the time: “The world and our own experience shows that it is impossible to fight terrorists with international sanctions, intimidation or incitement.
“They only understand the language of power. Only personal and completely inhumane methods.
“That is why it is necessary to blow up their own houses and the houses of their relatives.
“Look for their accomplices and eliminate them, and abandon the tasteless idea of suing them.
“But the main thing is to destroy the top leadership of terrorist formations, in whatever cracks these insects hide. It’s difficult but possible.’