In a new video released by Ukraine, a formidable unmanned underwater vehicle has been showcased, presenting a severe and unprecedented threat to Vladimir Putin’s £3 billion Crimean bridge. This new platform, known as the TOLOKA, is a game-changer in modern naval warfare, designed to bypass traditional defenses and deliver a powerful payload deep within enemy territory. Weighing up to five tons and boasting a remarkable range of up to 1,250 miles, this stealthy sea drone is poised to be a new and devastating weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal, potentially capable of crippling what has long been considered one of Russia’s most critical military assets.
The TOLOKA’s public unveiling took place at the Bravel1 Defence Tech Valley 2025 exhibition, an event in Lviv where Ukraine’s burgeoning drone industry displayed its latest technological innovations. The drone’s existence highlights the country’s relentless pursuit of asymmetrical warfare strategies, leveraging cutting-edge technology to counter Russia’s superior conventional military strength. The TOLOKA is not a single unit but a family of drones, coming in three distinct sizes ranging from four meters (13 feet) to 12 meters (39 feet) in length. These variations are designed for different tactical roles and can carry explosive payloads of 500 kg, 1,000 kg, and up to 5,000 kg, respectively.
The Strategic Importance of the Kerch Bridge
The Kerch Bridge, often referred to as “Putin’s Bridge,” is more than just a transportation link; it is a symbol of Russian power and a cornerstone of its military logistics. Spanning the Kerch Strait, it is the sole direct land connection between mainland Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula. Since its completion, it has served as the primary military supply route for Russian forces in Crimea, facilitating the movement of troops, heavy equipment, ammunition, and fuel. Its destruction would not only be a significant psychological blow to the Kremlin but would also cripple Russia’s ability to sustain its operations in southern Ukraine.
Past attacks on the bridge, while successful in causing temporary disruptions, have not achieved permanent destruction. The most notable previous attack, which occurred in October 2022, caused a massive explosion that temporarily shut down a section of the road and rail lines. However, Russian engineers were able to restore functionality relatively quickly. Another attack in June of the following year, which some defense experts now speculate may have involved a prototype of the TOLOKA drone, caused further damage but again, did not render the bridge inoperable.
This is where the new TOLOKA drones, particularly the larger TLK-1000 model, change the equation. Military analysts believe that the 5,000 kg explosive payload of the largest TOLOKA variant could deliver a catastrophic blow, capable of destroying a bridge support column beyond repair. A synchronized attack with multiple large drones could potentially cause a complete structural collapse, effectively severing Russia’s most vital supply artery.
A New Era of Naval Warfare
The emergence of the TOLOKA drone is part of a broader shift in modern warfare, where unmanned systems, both aerial and naval, are redefining battlefield tactics. For Ukraine, these drones have become an essential tool for evening the playing field against Russia’s far larger and better-equipped navy. The Black Sea Fleet, once a dominant force, has been severely depleted by a series of successful Ukrainian drone attacks on ships and naval bases. The TOLOKA represents the next logical step in this evolution: a stealthy, long-range underwater platform that can target high-value assets with pinpoint accuracy.
The ability of the TOLOKA to operate underwater provides a critical advantage. Unlike surface drones, it is much harder to detect and defend against, making it a “nightmare” for Russian naval defenses. Its extended range allows it to be launched from secure, Ukrainian-controlled territory, eliminating the risk of crewed vessels being detected and attacked.
Brigadier General Andriy Lebedenko, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, commented on the strategic importance of drones. “Drones are playing a key role in the precise destruction of the enemy,” he stated. He also emphasized the constant technological race. “We must immediately respond to the challenges created by the enemy’s innovations. We need to keep up with technological developments to avoid the loss of our people and territories.”
The development of the TOLOKA also signals a new chapter in Ukraine’s domestic defense industry. Companies like those featured at the Bravel1 exhibition are rapidly innovating, creating a homegrown military-tech ecosystem that is directly challenging a superpower. This ingenuity is not limited to naval systems; the new TOLOKA was unveiled shortly after Ukraine successfully tested a new long-range missile, the Flamingo, capable of reaching targets up to 3,000 kilometers away, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In conclusion, the TOLOKA is not just another weapon; it is a manifestation of Ukraine’s innovative and resilient spirit in the face of aggression. It represents a significant escalation of the naval conflict in the Black Sea and a credible threat to a target of immense strategic importance. For Putin and his military strategists, the appearance of the TOLOKA is indeed a nightmare, as it holds the potential to turn a symbol of Russian conquest into a monument of its vulnerability.
