Ukraine intelligence agency says sea drones carried out Kerch Bridge attack | The Guardian - Aug. 16, 2023 |

Spy chief says remotely controlled drones, developed internally, were behind 17 July attack

Ukraine's SBU intelligence service has claimed responsibility for an attack on the Russian-built Kerch strait Bridge connecting Crimea to the mainland last month, saying it had been conducted by remotely controlled sea drones.

Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the agency, told CNN the drone, called "Sea Baby", was developed internally and that two were packed with 850kg warheads when they exploded and damaged the road and rail bridge on 17 July. Two people were killed in the attack.

"Using these drones we have recently conducted a successful hit of the Crimean Bridge," Malyuk said, as well as more recent attacks on a Russian warship and an oil tanker, said by Kyiv to be supplying fuel for Russia's military.

Until now, Kyiv has been coy about taking responsibility for attacks on Russian infrastructure, or in Crimea or in Russia itself, but the intelligence chief was keen to talk up the maritime threat to its enemy.

"We are working on a number of new interesting operations, including in the Black Sea waters. I promise you, it'll be exciting, especially for our enemies," said Malyuk in the television interview.