Maliuk: Drones that damaged Crimean Bridge in July are SBU’s invention

“Sea surface drones are a unique invention of the Security Service of Ukraine. None of the private companies are involved. Using these drones we have recently conducted a successful hit of the Crimean bridge, the big assault ship Olengorskiy Gornyak and SIG tanker,” Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Maliuk told CNN in an interview.

He added that the SBU team was working on the development of these drones and their production, assisted by civil engineers and IT specialists.

“These drones are produced at an underground production facility at the territory of Ukraine. 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,” Maliuk stressed.

Speaking in more detail about special operations, the SBU head noted that the Security Service authored the relevant operational ideas and their subsequent successful implementation together with the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We take a balanced approach to every special operation at sea. Basically, we measure seven times and cut once. But we do it quickly. We stab the enemy right in the heart," said the SBU head.

He added that the sea drones that damaged the Crimean Bridge in July 2023 were named "Sea Baby". They are equipped with 850 kg warhead.

Two separate sea surface drones, each having 450 kg warhead, were used to hit the Olenegorsky Gornyak landing ship and the SIG tanker.

Maliuk emphasized that all the targets hit by the special services were completely legitimate targets to the Ukrainian and international laws.

He also noted that Western partners did not participate in these special operations but actively adopted the unique experience of the SBU.

As reported, on August 12, two explosions rang out near the Crimean Bridge. There was information about damage to two sections. The occupiers created a smoke screen over the bridge.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the illegally built bridge across the Kerch Strait must be neutralized as it is an enemy object built in violation of international law.

As reported, explosions rang out on the Crimean Bridge on the night of July 17, followed by a collapse of one of its sections.

Photo: SBU