Russian Strike Hits Kyiv's Northern Bridge, Second Crossing Targeted in Two Days
AI Summary
A Russian air attack struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge on Saturday, halting traffic and heightening fears that Moscow is attempting to sever the capital's main transport links.
Russian forces struck the Northern Bridge in Kyiv on Saturday morning, damaging road surfaces and trolleybus wires one day after the Southern Bridge was disabled by drone attacks.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the strike on the Northern Bridge, also known as the Pivnichnyi Bridge, following a drone alert in the capital on Saturday. The attack damaged the road surface and overhead power lines for trolleybuses, forcing authorities to block traffic moving from the city's left bank to the right bank. The BBC reported that two people were injured in the morning strike.
The hit on the Northern Bridge follows intensified aerial attacks on the city's critical crossings. The Southern Bridge, or Pivdennyi Bridge, was shut down on Friday after being hit multiple times since Thursday. France 24 reported that the earlier wave of strikes involved fast-moving, jet-powered drones. Mayor Klitschko warned that the campaign is an attempt to "tear Kyiv apart."
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a warning on Saturday, urging foreign diplomats and nationals to leave the capital, stating that the military would continue "massive retaliatory strikes." Russia claimed its drones were targeting bridges used for transporting Ukrainian troops and military cargo, according to the BBC. These strikes have caused significant traffic congestion as road and rail links between the eastern and western districts are severed.
In response to the escalation, Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the attacks, reporting that five Russian air attack weapons, including Banderol missiles and drones, violated Moldovan airspace and exploded on its soil early Saturday. While experts cited by the BBC suggest drones are unlikely to collapse the bridges, they noted that repeated strikes risk weakening the structures and making them unusable.
Background
The Dnipro River separates Kyiv into eastern and western banks, connected by eight bridges. Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Kyiv has been frequently targeted by overnight drone attacks, but according to the BBC, these major bridges had not been hit before Thursday.
How outlets covered it
Image: Deutsche WelleDeutsche WelleRussia strikes another major bridge in Kyiv, says mayor
Image: Euronews RSSEuronews RSSSecond Kyiv bridge hit in two days as Russia targets Dnipro crossings
Image: France 24 - International breakingFrance 24 - International breakingRussia strikes another major bridge across Kyiv's Dnipro river
Image: BBC NewsBBC NewsRussia strikes second major bridge in Kyiv, mayor says
Image: "when:24h site:reuters.com" - Googl
"when:24h site:reuters.com" - GooglBridge across Dnipro river in Kyiv hit during Russian attack, mayor says - Reuters
Get our daily briefing first.
We're starting a short daily email with the stories most outlets are covering. Join the list to get the first one.
Free. No spam.
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation!