Moment Ukraine launch Crimea strike ‘that hit Russian vessel & missile launcher’ near Putin’s £3billion beloved bridge

THIS is the moment Ukrainian missiles hit a Russian missile launcher and boat in Crimea as troops work towards destroying Putin's beloved bridge.

Kyiv also launched drones and bombs at the port, ferry, and an air defence system next to the bridge overnight.

Ukraine is reportedly seeking to clear the way for a direct strike against the crucial Kerch Bridge, with the Russians fortifying the area.

The £3billion bridge links Crimea to the Russian mainland and has been hit by Ukraine before.

One report said eight missiles were fired - the extent of the damage is not clear.

Residents in Sevastopol, Simferopol, and Kerch heard explosions around 3:30am local time, according to local media.

Russia claims to have shot down least five kamikaze aerial drones and two naval drones.

Footage captured by locals shows the missiles descending to the ground and Russian anti-air defences striking back.

One video captures loud bangs as the Ukrainian missiles explode.

The bridge was closed for four hours after the assault at 2am, resulting in huge queues.

It reopened at 7am. 

It's still unclear whether the ferry port - used for military transport after earlier strikes weakened the 12-mile bridge - have been damaged. 

“No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage,” reported The Kyiv Independent.

“It was not immediately clear what boat was struck or whether it was a military target.”

The bridge, a major engineering feat, was Putin’s flagship project and the dictator opened the crossing in 2018. 

In July last year, the specially developed homegrown marine kamikaze drone called Sea Baby loaded with 850 kg of explosives caused massive structural damage to the Crimean Bridge.

In October 2022, a bomb concealed in a truck exploded on the bridge, causing major damage.

Yet Russia has been able to continue using the crossing and Ukraine has repeatedly vowed to destroy it. 

The strikes come as Ukraine advances inside Russia following its surprise offensive last week.

Kyiv is continuing to advance and humiliate Putin after occupying the biggest Russian town to be captured since World War Two.

The hugely strategic Sudzha in Kursk had a pre-war population of 5,000, which would make it Ukraine's biggest triumph in Russia so far.

And last night a nuclear-capable Tu-22 bomber jet crashed in the Irkutsk region, some 3,300 miles east of Moscow.

Footage caught a gigantic explosion that saw an enormous fireball lit up the sky as the aircraft came down.