Ukraine destroys key rail bridge as fresh attacks aim to 'isolate Crimea'

Ukraine said its forces destroyed a key railway bridge in Crimea, as it seeks to isolate the Russian-occupied peninsula.

The fresh attacks come as it was reported how one of Russia's most significant oil refineries is unlikely to resume production for six months after being hit by Ukrainian drones.

Ukrainian forces have also struck a major natural gas processing plant and two key satellite communications centres in their latest overnight attacks on Russia, military chiefs said on Wednesday.

In Crimea, a power plant and other major infrastructure sites were also targeted, according to Ukraine's military.

Drones started to hit the bridge over the North Crimean Canal, near the village of Rozdolne, on Sunday and Monday, leading to its partial collapse.

Further strikes on Tuesday cut off the route which Ukraine said is a main artery for Russian supplies.

Ukraine said its drones had struck a power plant, an electrical substation, and a liquefied natural gas distribution site.

Parts of Crimea were without power on Tuesday, according to the area's energy supplier - but it claimed this was due to "technical malfunctions".

The latest attacks and the reported damage have not been independently verified, while Russia has not yet made any comment.

Ukraine's drone forces chief Robert Brovdi has pledged to "isolate Crimea in the near future".

The peninsula is important because of its naval bases and beaches, as well as its strategic location in the Black Sea.

Russia's deputy prime minister Alexander Novak told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that officials were considering suspending diesel fuel exports to protect supplies for motorists amid long queues at station forecourts.

This would be in addition to ongoing bans on the export of jet fuel and petrol, according to Russia's state-owned Tass news agency.

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Mr Putin said Moscow had been warned that Ukraine aimed to disrupt energy supplies and Russia's tourism industry with drones which seek to "destabilise" society.

Ukraine revealed this week its forces have hit more than 800,000 enemy targets with drones since the start of the year.

'At least half a year to repair'

Moscow's largest fuel supplier is unlikely to resume production for at least six months after suffering extensive damage in recent Ukrainian drone attacks, reported the Reuters news agency.

"It will take at least half a year to repair," an industry source said on Wednesday.

The site, which is located on the southern outskirts of the Russian capital, has been targeted amid numerous Ukrainian strikes against Russia's oil refining capacity, triggering fuel shortages, price increases and long queues at filling stations in many regions across the country.

Ukraine's attacks on the industry have doubled since the start of 2026 and last week's strikes on the Moscow site was one of the biggest of its kind since the war began.

The strikes come as Mr Putin said Russia is ready for peace talks with Ukraine.

Ukraine's UN Ambassador Andrii Melnyk said Kyiv is ready for direct talks with Russia to achieve a "just and lasting peace", but warned the willingness to compromise was not open-ended.

(c) Sky News 2026: Ukraine destroys key rail bridge as fresh attacks aim to 'isolate Crimea'