A Ukrainian drone destroys Russian bridge in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast. The FPV drone strike didn’t just damage the structure — it detonated Russian-planted anti-tank mines, causing the bridge to collapse in a powerful explosion.

Ukrainian drone unit strikes key logistics target

Militarnyi reports that the attack was carried out by the strike drone company of the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade, which is currently attached to the 3rd Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, also known as the “Iron Brigade.” The brigade published footage of the operation.

The destroyed concrete bridge had long served the Russian army as a critical supply route in the border area, enabling the transfer of troops and equipment. Expecting a Ukrainian advance, Russian forces had mined the bridge with TM-62 anti-tank explosives.

Recon teams triggered a deadly chain reaction

Ukrainian reconnaissance units discovered the planted mines. In response, the military launched an FPV drone armed with an explosive warhead. The drone hit the bridge and set off the Russian explosives. The resulting blast destroyed the entire structure.

Open-source analyst Blinzka identified the bridge as located near the village of Novopetrovka in Belgorod Oblast. The explosion not only destroyed the transport artery but also inflicted additional losses due to the detonation of Russia’s own engineering munitions.

The Russians may be preparing a new assault on Kherson. The occupiers may be attempting to isolate the Kherson neighborhood of Korabel by striking a key bridge and organizing a foothold for a possible landing operation, CNN reports. 

On 2 August, Russians launched a powerful strike on a strategically important bridge connecting the island district of Korabel to the main part of Kherson city. The strike also damaged three private homes and an apartment building. The invaders had previously targeted the bridge, forcing about 1,800 residents to leave their homes.

However, Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, noted that some families return almost immediately after evacuation. But the authorities once again urge Korabel residents to relocate to safer areas.

Russia aims to divide the city 

The strategy reportedly is to target the bridge and land forces to recapture the city. Meanwhile, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the Southern Defense Forces spokesperson, says that the possibility of this scenario is low, RBC-Ukraine reports.

He explains that in this case, the Russians would have to cross several water channels and islands where Ukrainian forces actively destroy any assault groups.

“To reach our shore, the Russians need time. And we use that time to detect and destroy them while they’re still approaching,” he emphasizes.

Regarding a possible air assault, Voloshyn stressed that “enemy helicopters will be immediately detected and destroyed,” recalling the Russians’ failure at Hostomel in 2022. Then, the Russian assault troops failed to land at the airfield, which broke all their operational strategy in Kyiv Oblast. 

Kherson under fire: drones, aerial bombs, destruction

The situation on the southern front remains tense. In one day, Russians carried out 280 attacks using kamikaze drones, nine airstrikes with guided bombs on Kherson, and employed drone munitions such as “Molniya,” “Lancet,” and “Privit-82.”

Russian drones constantly operate over Kherson, shelling continues, and battles are ongoing on islands in the Dnipro delta, specifically on Bilohorodivskyi and Velykyi Vilkhovyi islands. Active fighting is also reported near the Antonivski bridges.

Civilians continue to suffer. The central hospital in Kherson is treating 25 wounded. CNN shares the story of 62-year-old Oleh, who was injured while running to help neighbors after a drone strike. 

“It’s dangerous there, you have to listen carefully. A double tap. That’s how they operate. They destroy a house, it burns. A minute later, another one comes, checking whether the house is burning or someone is trying to extinguish it. And then they kill and destroy further,” he says. 

Before the war, Kherson Oblast was an important tourist and agricultural region of Ukraine. In 2021, the region welcomed 4.8 million tourists. Its coastline stretched for over 200 kilometers, featuring sandy beaches and a well-developed resort infrastructure.

Along the shore, there were numerous guesthouses, children’s camps, and sanatoriums offering therapeutic treatments based on thermal springs, salt, and mud.

Editor's note: The story was updated with comments made by Russia's Defense Ministry.

The Crimean Bridge was temporarily closed late on June 29 following reports of explosions and active air defense fire in the city of Kerch, according to local Telegram channels.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple blasts and observing Russian air defense systems in action. "Explosions heard in Kerch, Russian air defense is firing, and the lighting on the Crimean Bridge has been turned off," the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported.

Ukraine has frequently targeted the Crimean Bridge over the course of the Russian full-scale invasion. Constructed after Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014, it is a critical supply and transport route for Russian forces to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Traffic on the bridge was briefly halted, though it remains unclear whether the closure was precautionary or due to damage. Traffic reportedly resumed just over an hour later.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on June 30 that its air defense systems shot down five Ukrainian drones overnight over the Sea of Azov. It did not report any damage in Kerch or to the Crimean Bridge.

The incident follows a series of Ukrainian attacks on the Crimean Bridge. On June 3, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) confirmed it had carried out a third strike targeting the bridge, detonating 1,100 kilograms of explosives beneath its underwater supports.

"God loves the Trinity, and the SBU always brings what is conceived to the end and never repeats itself," SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk said in a statement at the time. The operation, he added, had been planned over several months and caused "severe" damage to the bridge's foundations without harming civilians.

Russian media later claimed a Ukrainian intelligence agent involved in preparing the explosive had been detained by the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, previously suffered damage in Ukrainian attacks in October 2022 and July 2023. Despite these strikes, Russia has worked to maintain the bridge's operational status due to its strategic and symbolic importance.

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The Kyiv IndependentChris York