The origin of the Ukrainian weapon that damaged the Crimea bridge remains unknown.

Explosion Damages Russia’s Kerch Bridge: The Mystery Weapon

Details surrounding the weapon ⁣used ‌to damage part of⁤ Russia’s Kerch‍ Bridge, which connects Crimea to the mainland, are shrouded in ‌secrecy. The explosion⁢ caused ⁣significant damage to one‍ of the roadways, but Russian Deputy Prime⁤ Minister Marat Khusnullin reported⁤ that the bridge partially reopened to limited traffic shortly after. However, repairs to the‌ roadway are expected to continue until November. The force of the ⁢explosion, which ⁢originated from beneath the bridge, suggests the use ‌of a weapon believed​ to be beyond Ukraine’s capabilities.

Unmanned Surface Vehicles: The Suspected Culprits

Russia’s National Anti-terrorism Committee attributed the explosion to “two Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicles,” a claim confirmed by a source close​ to the Ukrainian Defense⁤ Ministry’s Main Intelligence ‍Directorate. However, the exact ⁢nature of these craft remains a mystery. Open-source intelligence indicates that the Ukrainian military did not possess drones‌ with the necessary range or explosive power to damage the bridge’s‍ support pillars.

Satellite images ‌published by Sentinel Hub, taken the day before the bridge explosion, revealed five unidentified vessels heading east from Ukrainian-controlled Snake Island towards the bridge. At that time, the vessels were approximately 325 miles away from the explosion site.

Exploring Potential Culprits

Experts have ruled⁣ out certain ⁢possibilities. The United States has previously provided surface drones to Ukraine, but ⁤these drones,⁤ known as Mantas T-12s, lack the range required to reach the bridge. Another candidate, Ukraine’s⁤ crowdfunded kamikaze drone fleet, ⁣also seems unlikely due ‌to its limited fuel‌ capacity.

Pro-Russian Telegram channels have suggested that the vessel responsible could be the British-made underwater autonomous vehicle REMUS 600, equipped ‌with additional explosives. According to the channel Mash, the craft, resembling a torpedo, was launched from a civilian vessel near the bridge.

However, it is important to ⁣note that the‍ REMUS‌ 600 was designed for noncombat purposes such as underwater mapping and mine ‌detection. It has never been deployed in a combat role, making⁢ it unlikely ⁣that it could carry a⁤ large enough explosive payload to cause significant damage to the Kerch Bridge’s superstructure. The craft itself weighs approximately 530 pounds.

Implications and Retaliation

This bombing incident suggests that Ukraine’s naval drone capabilities may be more advanced than publicly acknowledged, a ⁢concerning prospect for the Kremlin. In response, Russia swiftly launched one of the largest missile bombardments ​of the war, targeting the infrastructure of​ the⁣ port city of Odesa.

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