Traffic halted for seven hours on the Crimean bridge, with over 2,000 vehicles waiting in line.
Breaking News: Drone Attacks Disrupt Crimea and Cause Chaos on Crimean Bridge
Overnight on August 7, two separate drone attacks caused significant disruption in Crimea, targeting an oil refinery in Afipsky and a military unit in Slaviansk-na-Kubani. The attacks also affected the Crimean (Kerch) Bridge, causing it to close for over five hours.
The Crimean Bridge, a crucial link between Crimea and mainland Russia, was initially blocked due to explosions and drone noises reported in the regions of Kerch and Feodosia. The waiting time for vehicles on the Kerch side of the bridge reached approximately three hours, with 850 vehicles waiting to cross.
The bridge resumed normal operation at 09:37, but it was closed again at 08:22 on the following day. Drivers were asked to remain calm during the closure. On the Tamansky side of the bridge, the waiting time for vehicles increased to around four hours, and as of 08:00, there were 1,470 vehicles in the manual inspection queue.
Reports suggest that these attacks are part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign against Russian-occupied Crimea. Notably, Ukrainian forces have been successful in destroying a rare and advanced Russian S-500 air defense radar (Yenisei) in southern Crimea with a precision-guided drone strike.
Ukraine’s tactics have evolved to emphasize penetrating deep into Russian-controlled territory to dismantle "nerve centers" of detection and early warning, rather than just frontline missile launchers. The attacks have also included using covert logistics inspired by drug cartels to smuggle drones for strikes on strategic targets.
According to reports by Yuga.ru, a total of 9 drones were intercepted over the Krasnodar region, 8 over the Black Sea, 31 over the Azov Sea, and 11 over Crimea. However, no new information was provided about the status of the intercepted drones.
The air raid alert on the Crimean Bridge did not provide any new information. The Ministry of Defense reported intercepting 82 drones overnight on August 7. These incidents underscore the ongoing conflict dynamics in Crimea since Russia's 2014 illegal annexation and the intensified hostilities following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
[1] Yuga.ru, "Drones attack oil refinery in Afipsky, Crimean Bridge blocked," August 8, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Ukraine destroys Russian S-500 air defense radar in Crimea with precision drone strike," August 9, 2025. [3] BBC News, "Crimean Bridge closed after drone attacks," August 8, 2025. [4] The New York Times, "Ukraine's tactics in Crimea: Disrupting 'nerve centers' with drones," August 10, 2025.
- The disruptions caused by drone attacks in Crimea have extended beyond infrastructure, impacting several aspects of the region, including the finance industry due to halted oil production at Afipsky's refinery.
- The escalation of drone attacks in Crimea has raised concerns in the political arena, with global leaders discussing the potential implications for regional stability and international peace in war-and-conflicts meetings.
- As the Crimean Bridge remains a target for drone attacks, the transportation industry has been significantly impacted, with delays and closures causing widespread disruptions to the general news landscape, especially for residents and commuters.
- The increased use of drones for strategic attacks in Crimea has also shed light on the crime-and-justice sector, as authorities attempt to combat drone theft and unauthorized usage, emulating some strategies used by law enforcement agencies to counteract drug cartels.
