Crimean bridge was blocked at night on March 24: what happened and how it affected traffic
24 March 2025 10:18
On the night of March 24, 2025, the Crimean Bridge was temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. The official reasons for the shutdown were not disclosed, but the media speculate that it could have been due to an attack by Ukrainian drones from the Black Sea. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Russian media.
What happened on the night of March 24 on the Crimean bridge
The Crimean Bridge was closed for about 20 minutes, from 00:53 to 01:12 Moscow time. During this period, traffic was stopped, and everyone on the bridge or in the inspection area was asked to remain calm and follow the instructions of transport security officers. This was reported in the Telegram channel of operational information on the situation at the crossing:
“Those who are on the bridge and in the inspection area are asked to remain calm and follow the instructions of transport security officers,” the message said at 00:53.
Already at 01:12, traffic on the bridge was resumed, but no official explanation was received from the Russian occupation authorities.
The media speculate that the reason could be a possible attack by Ukrainian air or sea drones from the Black Sea, as similar incidents have repeatedly led to the closure of the crossing.
The day before: a drone was shot down over occupied Crimea
On the morning of March 23, the Ministry of Defense of the aggressor country, Russia, announced the destruction of a Ukrainian drone in the skies over occupied Crimea. According to the ministry, the drone was shot down at around 08:00 using air defense systems. No damage or casualties were reported on the ground. This incident was another confirmation of the activity of Ukrainian forces in the region.
In the evening of the same day, an air alert was announced in occupied Crimea due to a possible attack. Russian rescuers urged local residents to be vigilant, and the Crimean bridge continued to operate on high alert.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in a nutshell
Traffic situation on the Crimean bridge
The closure of the Crimean Bridge is not uncommon. It is usually caused by the threat of attacks by Ukrainian drones or missiles. According to Russian media, since the terrorist attack in October 2022, when the bridge was severely damaged, Ukrainian forces have not successfully struck the structure, but attempts continue. This forces the occupying Russian authorities to regularly resort to traffic restrictions.
On the morning of March 24, a queue of 45 cars formed near the checkpoints in front of the bridge from the Taman side, as reported by the Telegram channel of operational information. No queues were recorded from the Kerch side. Drivers are urged to plan their trips taking into account possible delays.
Enhanced security measures
Since January 2025, the Crimean Bridge has been subject to continuous passport control for all those entering the occupied peninsula. Special services are conducting anti-terrorism measures, which also affects the speed of the inspection.
Such steps indicate an increase in tension in the region and attempts by the Russian occupation authorities to tighten control over the logistics facility.
The Crimean Bridge (officially, the Kerch Strait Bridge) is a transport facility connecting the Taman Peninsula of the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation with the Kerch Peninsula of the temporarily occupied Crimea.
The length of the transport crossing within the project is 19 km, the length of the railroad bridge is 18.1 km, and the length of the road bridge is almost 17 km. The width of the roadway with safety lanes is 23.1 meters.
The bridge’s capacity is 40 thousand vehicles per day. The railroad bridge can carry trains weighing up to 7,100 tons, and the number of trains can reach 47 pairs daily.
The construction, which began after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, has been accompanied by violations of international law, environmental problems, and repeated damage from attacks.
Why is the Crimean Bridge an important target?
The Crimean bridge is not only an engineering structure, but also a symbol of the Russian occupation of Crimea, built in violation of international law and environmental standards.
The Crimean Bridge remains a key transportation hub connecting the aggressor country of Russia with the occupied Crimea. It is used to move military equipment, ammunition and personnel.
Its strategic role makes it a constant target for Ukraine, which seeks to cut off the enemy’s logistical routes.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in brief
Damage to the Crimean bridge
Since its commissioning, the bridge has repeatedly been the target of attacks due to its strategic importance to the Russian army:
Explosion on October 8, 2022:
- A truck explosion on the road side of the bridge collapsed two spans, and the railroad line was damaged by the ignition of fuel tanks. Traffic was partially paralyzed. Russia blamed the SBU, although Ukraine has not officially confirmed its involvement. The restoration took several months: road traffic was restored in 4.5 months and rail traffic in 7 months.
Attack on July 17, 2023:
- During the night, two surface drones, according to the Russian side, attacked the bridge. One span of the automobile part collapsed and another was damaged. Traffic was stopped and traffic jams formed. Sources in the Ukrainian security services said it was a special operation by the SBU and the Navy. The SBU promised to disclose details after the victory.
Regular closures:
- The bridge is often closed due to the threat of drone or missile attacks.
After the attacks in 2022-2023, the Russian occupation authorities strengthened the bridge’s defense by installing air defense systems, anti-submarine boats, and conducting continuous passport control since January 2025. At the same time, guerrillas (e.g., the ATES movement) have reported structural degradation due to damage that causes parts of the bridge to crumble.
Follow us on Telegram: main news in brief
